SRD staff travel to China to learn grassland practices

Rice harvesting in Ningxia, China

Gerry Ehlert and Helen Newsham , agrologists with the Rangeland Management Branch of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, travelled to Ningxia Autonomous Region of China September 20-30, 2006.

The 10-day trip was the first part of a grassland management policy project, sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Ningxia is located in north-central China and has a semi-arid and arid grassland climate. Grazing resources are critical to the local agricultural economy and way of life. Ningxia's policy makers and public land managers want to develop an implementation plan to support recent laws put in place to better protect their grasslands. There is currently a grazing ban on grasslands in the region.

SRD's Gerry Ehlert tours the grasslands with Chinese officials

The plan will address goals of increased environmental protection and grassland health, reduced soil erosion and desertification, balanced grazing levels and increased economic returns for farmers. Ehlert said Ningxia also wants the plan to balance environmental, social and economic values.

Chinese officials face a number of challenges including:

• developing a grazing management program that will reintroduce grazing on an accountable and sustainable basis; and
• development of regulations for the collection and marketing of wild medicinal plants such as licorice and ephedra.

Alberta will assist Ningxia by sharing experiences and information about the province's grassland legislation, regulations, policy, technology and management practices. The federal government and other provinces will also share their grassland knowledge and experiences with the Chinese.

Provincial officials have also learned a great deal from the experience.

“It reaffirms that we are on a positive track when laws and practices help protect and sustain grasslands, and help prevent overdevelopment, overgrazing and pollution,” said Ehlert.

Both Newsham and Ehlert also said the cultural experience was the chance of a lifetime.

Newsham and Ehlert with their Chinese hosts

“The people of China were very hospitable, friendly and positive – regardless of their income or situation,” said Ehlert.

Printable version

Quick Links

Highlights

Celebrate Alberta Forest Week (May 5, 2006)

Focusing on Careers
Just Another Day at the Office... (February 21, 2006)

Public outreach is a focus for Minister Coutts (October 4, 2005)

Bison Grazing
Effective August 8, 2006, bison operators may apply to have their animals graze on agricultural public land dispositions under certain conditions. See your local Rangeland Management office for more information. A fact sheet is available here. (Fact Sheet) (August 8, 2006)