By Keana Boere, PAg, Agri-Environmental Specialist, Outlook
January 2026
In 2026, the United Nations (UN) is shining a spotlight on those working in rangelands in Saskatchewan and across the world by designating the year as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
The term “pastoralist,” while uncommon in Canada, refers to land managers and all who work and live in rangeland ecosystems. In Saskatchewan, ranchers manage much of the remaining native rangeland and non-cropland areas, making them central to this celebration. The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists is an excellent opportunity to showcase the good work that Saskatchewan ranchers are doing on the land they manage. Carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat and biodiversity are just a few examples of how our rangelands contribute to sustainability.
For more information about the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, a working group with individuals from organizations in Canada have created a central hub for anything related to the year.
Previous UN designations related to agriculture include the International Year of Pulses (2016), the International Year of Soils (2015) and the International Year of Biodiversity (2010).