Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
As demand for diverse land use expands, so do the challenges to conserve and restore grasslands. The current incentives for maintaining and enhancing native grasslands are limited and have variable attractiveness to ranchers, despite the numerous environmental benefits grasslands provide.
This project provides a clear benefit to the agriculture industry by demonstrating an innovative way to conserve, restore, and regenerate grasslands by providing landowners with an efficient, highly collaborative marketplace for buying and selling grassland ecosystem services and biodiversity benefits.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
Successful implementation of a grassland conservation exchange pilot can lead to enhanced productivity and competitiveness of grassland producers, sustainable and responsible production of food that comes from grasslands, and a diversified marketplace for landowners to access.
The ultimate goal of this project is to provide buyers and sellers transparency and confidence in Carbon Plus Exchange transactions to build long term stability for the market.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Extension and communication activities will be essential to increasing understanding of a Carbon Plus Exchange. Western Stock Growers Association will work with partners to develop communications materials such as fact sheets, news articles, and presentations that can be used at meetings, workshops, and conferences. The Grassland Capital X website will also be updated with new learnings as the Pilot unfolds.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.