Public and Stakeholder Engagement, a national Check-Off funded program, is excited to announce the launch of the Guardians of the Grasslands Game, based on the award-winning documentary Guardians of the Grasslands. This online, educational grazing simulation aims to teach students about the ecosystem services that are provided by raising cattle on grasslands including wildlife habitat, biodiversity and carbon sequestration, increasing their understanding of the benefits of beef production. Total play time is estimated between 15 – 20 minutes.
This video series is generously provided by Alberta WaterPortal Society to learn more about the interactions between water users and the water nexus.
Water Users
Water from the river is needed for many different uses, including communities, agriculture, energy production, and healthy ecosystems. It is essential to work together to balance those many uses with the amount of water available.
The Complex Interconnections Between Water Users in the Watershed
The many water users who share the local watershed are connected in complex ways. Not only do we all share the same water source, we also share energy that is produced in this region, and we rely on the local land for agriculture and many economic activities. Coordinating together is important for sharing these many resources.
Improving Water Quality Through Agricultural Innovation
Water quality is supported by management practices by farmers and agriculture produces. Your local watershed supports many different users and activities, and the practices of everyone in the watershed can help or hinder the water quality in the river.
A Healthy Environment Supports All Water Users
Our natural environment provides clean water, clean air, and many other essential services that we often take for granted. We all have to work to keep our natural environment, and especially our rivers and lakes healthy.
A Growing Population Will Mean Growing Demand for Food, Energy and Water
Water is used to grow food and to produce energy, water is also needed by people for drinking, cleaning, and many other activities. As the population of people grows in cities and around the world, more food, energy and water will be required. Improvements in efficiency and reducing waste in all three of these sectors is a key strategy to address the challenges of limited available water.
This is a great supplementary resource to Lesson 3: Water
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation Farm Chat ® provides a variety of virtual tours related to the agriculture industry featuring the environment, harvest, poultry and swine. Exploring topics from farming then and now to hatching chicks and caring for beef cattle, the Farm Chat brings the farm experience to you.
By the year 2050 Earth’s population will be nearly 10 billion, and we will need to almost double the amount of food produced today. Technology is revolutionizing farming to meet these needs. Check out The Future of Farming and Agriculture
