The vision of the Rangeland Research Institute is to demonstrate leadership in conducting innovative research and teaching on a wide variety of issues pertinent to rangeland ecology and management, including:
- Grassland ecology;
- Wildlife management;
- Grazing systems and cow-calf management;
- Carbon sequestration and storage;
- Impacts of climate change on rangelands;
- Establishment, production, harvesting and storage of forages;
- Land reclamation; and
- Water resources management
The RRI brings together researchers from various academic disciplines to conduct basic and applied research that addresses these and other issues that are relevant to rangeland managers, and to society at large.
The institute is particularly interested in building a body of knowledge regarding the ecosystem services provided by rangelands, so that best management practices can be identified and new policy tools can be developed that will ensure the many benefits derived from rangelands are sustained over time.
Since the institute’s core research lands are also working ranches, RRI affiliates have the unique opportunity to conduct research that confronts the complexities faced by producers and, therefore, to provide practical solutions to real-world problems.
The RRI conducts and facilitates research on working ranches throughout Alberta.