Kick-Starting the SNAPP Working Group on Resilient Rangelands: A Collaborative Step Toward Sustainable Solutions

On November 5-6, 2024, the inaugural meeting of the “Resilient Rangelands: Balancing Rural Economies and Ecosystem Integrity” project took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This project, funded by the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), aims to develop models that will shape the next phase of nature conservation and sustainable development.

The working group includes 12 key partners: SDSN Kazakhstan, conservation NGOs, international agencies, herder associations, and university research centers. Together, they will focus on identifying the key features of resilient rangelands that support both livelihoods and biodiversity through sustainable land and water management practices.

By employing participatory approaches, the group will develop scenarios for two case-study landscapes: one in western Kazakhstan and another in eastern Mongolia. These scenarios will explore synergies and trade-offs, helping to create spatial plans and management options that can guide future projects and inform national policy frameworks. With active involvement from regional and national stakeholders, the group will ensure the insights gained are practical, relevant, and aligned with the needs of both conservation and agriculture.

The meeting served as a crucial step in laying a strong foundation for the working group, fostering a shared understanding of the project’s scope, key challenges, and the trade-offs inherent in rangeland systems. Participants explored how resilience and trade-offs are interlinked, and how these dynamics influence rangeland management. This clarity will help define the group’s direction and objectives moving forward.

The session also introduced participants to the foresight scenario development framework, a vital tool for resilience planning in rangeland ecosystems. Through hands-on exercises, participants refined methodologies for linking qualitative scenarios to quantitative outcomes, equipping them with the tools needed to forecast and plan for future challenges.

This meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative journey that will continue over the next two years, with the goal of fostering sustainable rangeland management that balances ecological integrity with the livelihoods of local communities.