Assessment tool for native grass management

May 4, 2026 | 4:44 PM

The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP) has published a 2nd Edition of the Saskatchewan Rangeland Health Assessment for Native Grasslands.

The assessment tool was a collaborative effort among several prairie stakeholders and builds on the initial 2008 edition.

Carolyn Gaudet with SK PCAP said the assessment is an evaluation of a rangeland’s ability to perform key ecological functions.

“Rangeland ecosystems are dynamic, ever-changing landscapes, as are the people, plants, and wildlife that rely on these habitats,” Gaudet said. “The focus of the working group responsible for the update was to ensure the assessment remained practical while rooted in science.”

The field workbook has a nine-question score sheet that considers plant community, invasive weeds, vegetation layers, soil and erosion, and plant litter. A range health assessment is on a scoring system of up to 100 points, which falls into the category of healthy, healthy with challenges, or needs improvement. Producers and land managers can use range health assessment results to provide baseline data, track successes or challenges, or validate current practices.

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The Saskatchewan Rangeland Health Assessment for Native Grasslands is designed for use by ranchers and producers, federal or provincial rangeland specialists, environmental groups, Crown lease holders, community pastures, or private agrologists.

Some of the changes addressed in the new range health field workbook include providing a clear link to Saskatchewan rangeland ecosystem reference plant communities; assessing plant communities for woody species encroachment; evaluating biocrust presence; and maintaining a consistent approach with interprovincial counterparts for considering non-native forage species and noxious weeds.

You can access the workbook here.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

by Pattison Media

Assessment tool for native grass management

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