THE LATEST FROM THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RANGELANDS AND PASTORALISTS 2026

December 18, 2025

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With 2026 less than a month away, organisers of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 have been very busy launching and promoting this important event.

Why have an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists?

As pointed out by Dana Kelly and Cindy Eiritz in their recent article in The Australian Farmer, the IYRP provides a great platform to tell the stories of livestock producers (pastoralists, ranchers, herders, graziers and the people that support this industry) to governments and urban populations across the world.  As they explain “For Australia’s producers, it’s a chance to show how innovation, research and stewardship are integral to sustainable production. IYRP is connecting Australian producers with global peers.  IYRP 2026 is an opportunity to highlight rangeland management, as well as the science, innovation and culture that make outback communities vital to Australia’s future.”  

“In Australia, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists is a grass roots movement, run predominantly by producers/pastoralists.  Sharing stories will highlight the diversity and importance of the rangelands – to raise awareness. Stories will be told through social media, in classrooms, and at community events to celebrate the good things happening in the bush. Australian pastoralists /producers/graziers are invited to tell their stories. IYRP is an opportunity to connect with people beyond the bush, including city folk and decision-makers.”

Global Opening Ceremony

The official launch of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 took place on 2 December 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, FAO Headquarters in Rome in a hybrid format which allowing people around the world to join via webcast.  The ceremony featured remarks from the FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, President of Mongolia H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and other dignitaries, followed by two panel discussions highlighting the environmental, social, and economic importance of rangelands and pastoralists.    

Coinciding with the opening ceremony, a five-day exhibition (1–5 December) was held in the FAO Atrium highlighting the key messages of the IYRP. The exhibition featured a photo exhibition, promotional videos, cultural performances, and products from pastoralist communities, showcasing their contributions to sustainable food systems and ecosystem management. 

Australian Launches

Two functions have recently been held to launch the IYRP in Australasia.

Toowoomba Launch – 7 August 2025

The Cobb and Co Museum was the backdrop for the IYRP Launch in Toowoomba, Queensland.  The Australasian Chair of IYRP, Dr Dana Kelly said “we were honoured to be joined by an enthusiastic audience. Graziers and pastoralists were present plus also representatives from the Australian Rangelands Society, NRM groups, Universities, Local Government , RM Williams, Soils for Life, the Royal Society of QLD, and the Qld Government Dept of Primary Industries.” 

Dana introduced the International Year giving a brief history and an explanation of the aims of the global organisation. She explained that rangelands cover a very large area of the Earth’s landmass and support large numbers of people. They are vital, both economically for nations and in an ecological sense, as they provide huge carbon sinks and pristine areas for native flora and fauna. Attendees were inspired by the information presented and many people stayed on to talk and offer support to IYRP.

Photo 1: Dana Kelly (Australasian Chair of IYRP) with John Seccombe (western Queensland grazier & founder of the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative) at the IYRP Launch at Toowoomba.

Perth Launch – 3 October 2025 

The Australasian Launch of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) was hosted by the Hon. Jackie Jarvis, WA Minister for Food & Agriculture on 3 October at the Perth Royal Show. 

Photo 2: A rousing welcome to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists at Perth Show.

Photo 3: Federal MP Melissa Price (Durack WA), WA Graziers Ashley & Debbie Dowden (Challa Station) and Federal MP Rick Wilson (O’Connor WA).

Promotion of the IYRP at Conferences in Australia

Australasian IYRP Committee members recently attended several conferences to spread the word about IYRP 2026.  These include the Evoke Ag Conference held in Brisbane on 18-19 February 2025, the “Farming Forever National Summit” Farmers for Climate Action 2025 Conference held in Canberra from 1-3 September 2025 and the National Landcare Conference 2025 held on the Gold Coast from 21-24 September 2025.  They met many interesting & passionate people, who were happy to learn about and support IYRP. The link to other pastoralist communities around the world was viewed as very positive.

Debbie Dowden has also been busy promoting the IYRP at several pastoral events in Western Australia including the Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association (GNRBA) field day, held near Kalgoorlie.

Here Debbie highlighted how the IYRP offers a unique opportunity to shine a global spotlight on places like the Goldfields–Nullarbor and the people who live and work there. She emphasised that it is not just a symbolic recognition, but a platform for pastoralists to connect across borders, exchange ideas and showcase the crucial role rangelands play in food security, biodiversity and climate resilience. By using IYRP to link Australian producers with peers in Africa, Asia, the Americas and beyond, Debbie stressed that pastoralists can share innovations, build solidarity and ensure their voices are heard in national and international policy conversations that shape the future of these landscapes. At the recent Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA) Conference in Broome in northern Western Australia, Debbie also shared the IYRP story with producers and industry representatives from across the northern beef industry. 

IYRP to feature on Australian Coin

The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra is working towards producing a coin to be released in 2026 with a backside commemorating the IYRP. Dana Kelly visited the Mint in October to learn a bit of the process and to discuss possible designs with Mint staff. 

Latest News from the Australasian Committee

The Committee is currently working on:

  • Collecting stories from pastoralists. This has been quite challenging and the Committee needs your help. If you know a story that could help city people and decision-makers better understand the rangelands, please contact your local IYRP representative:
  • Developing resources for a Rangelands Teacher’s Guide, aimed at primarily secondary school Science teachers, Australia wide.
  • A women’s gathering was held online between US and Australian women on 3 December to discuss how to get messages from Australia taken to the Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women, scheduled for 26-29 May 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Preparations for the Global Youth Gathering to be held in Madrid from 9-11 April 2026. 
  • Sponsorship to help both young pastoralists and women to attend their respective World Gatherings in Spain and Nepal. Please let Dana Kelly know if you can help.
  • Volunteers are needed to help celebrate IYRP next year. Someone before Christmas would be fantastic, and others in 2026. Please get in touch with Dana if you are interested. 

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