Approximately 43 percent of BC grasslands are privately owned.  Most of these properties areheld by working ranches.  They are critical areas to the economical vitality of the operation, providing fall, winter and spring forage for grazing.  In recent years, landowners are under increasing pressure to subdivide large tracts of grassland parcels for urban and ‘ranchette’ development.  Subdivision of the grasslands results in the loss of agricultural support to the operation, as well as fragmentation of wildlife habitat and permanent loss of natural values.

With a significant portion of the grasslands existing as privately owned rangelands, ranchers are stewards over a considerable amount of area.  In order to ensure the conservation of grasslands, support must be given to the ranching community to achieve the sustainability of large tracts of working rangeland.

Privately owned grasslands are typically concentrated in the valley bottoms.   These lands are under increasing pressure from growing communities for residential and commercial development.  Of the 43% of BCs grasslands that are privately owned, almost 32% lie within the Agricultural Land Reserve.  Less than 1.0 % of privately owned grassland in BC has been acquired by non-government organizations, such as Nature Trust, The Land Conservancy of BC and the Canadian Wildlife Service, for conservation. 

The approval process for subdivision generally lies with the municipal and regional governments.  Rather than impose further legislation and regulations limiting subdivision, it is ideal to provide local government with the tools and strategies for land use planning that recognize the values of grasslands.  In addition, priority must be given to keep working ranches economically viable to continue operation with ranchers as stewards of the land.

Grazing management in interest of land owner or manager to ensure maintenance of a healthy ecosystem for long-term productivity.

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