Our People

The Rangeland Research Institute was established in the fall of 2011, following the historic donation of a 5,000-hectare (12,300-acre) ranch to the University of Alberta by Edwin and Ruth Mattheis.

Led by Director and Mattheis Chair in Rangeland Ecology and Management Dr. Edward Bork, and guided by a Strategic Advisory Council, the RRI has a mandate to maintain the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of rangelands at local, national and international levels, by conducting and promoting relevant research, education, and extension activities.
Given the institute's long-term and secure access to large working ranches - including the Mattheis Research Ranch, located approximately 150 km east of Calgary, and the Roy Berg Kinsella Research Ranch, located approximately 150 km southeast of Edmonton - and to a diversity of complementary facilities across Alberta, the institute is uniquely positioned to support and conduct timely, high quality research that addresses questions about rangeland ecosystems that are otherwise understudied.

The Mattheis Research Ranch and other University of Alberta research facilities provide a unique opportunity to address questions about the sustainability of rangelands.

The Mattheis Research Ranch and other University of Alberta research facilities provide a unique opportunity to address questions about the sustainability of rangelands.