2021 Provincial Workshop

This online workshop explored pressing climate impacts on BC agriculture in 2021. Since 2017, ACARN has hosted these interdisciplinary knowledge-exchange events that showcase BC-based climate action research and programs supporting agricultural resilience. Constructive dialogue between producers, researchers, government staff, and agricultural professionals is a key outcome.

Discussions covered wildfire risk reduction, adaptation strategies, and the role of agriculture in climate mitigation. With insights from researchers, producers, industry leaders, these fostered timely conversation on adaptation strategies, barriers, and opportunities for resilience.

🌡Extreme heat and drought

🔥Wildfire

🌱Carbon sequestration

Extreme Heat and Drought

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events pose significant challenges for British Columbia and Western Canada. In these sessions, experts analyzed the unprecedented 2021 heatwave and drought, placing them in historical and future contexts. Producers from diverse sectors shared firsthand experiences of the impacts of the heat dome, adaptation strategies, and the barriers they faced. With discussions on data gaps, research priorities, and infrastructure needs, these conversations highlight the urgency of climate resilience and innovation in agriculture and beyond.

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Webinar: 2021 Extreme Heat and Drought in Western Canada

Faron Anslow, Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, analyzes the June 2021 western North America heatwave in historical and future BC climate contexts.

Trevor Hadwen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, examines the 2021 Western Canadian drought—its causes, severity, unique features, and potential impacts on the 2022 growing season.

Producer Panel: Extreme heat and drought impacts + adaptation

Producer Perspectives: Dairy, berry, cattle, and tree fruit producers share insights on extreme heat and drought—how operations were affected, strategies for perseverance, and surprising crop and livestock responses.

Challenges & Solutions: Factors enabling or constraining adaptation, plus key data gaps, research, and infrastructure needs.

Wildfire

Wildfire resilience, recovery, and preparedness are critical concerns as climate change drives increasingly severe fire seasons. In these sessions, experts explore the future of wildfire in a changing climate, innovative risk reduction strategies like targeted grazing, and proactive land management approaches. Panelists share insights on prescribed fire, disaster recovery at the farm and community level, virtual fencing as a preparedness tool, and forest management practices that mitigate wildfire risks in agricultural landscapes. Through research, experience, and solutions-driven discussions, this webinar highlights the evolving challenges and strategies for building resilience.

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Webinar: Climate Change, Wildfire, and Risk Reduction

Dr. Mike Flannigan, Thompson Rivers University and Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire Science, explores how climate change is reshaping wildfire patterns, increasing intensity, and altering fire management strategies.

Amanda J. Miller, Palouse Rangeland Consulting / BC Cattlemen’s Association, presents research on using targeted grazing as a tool to mitigate wildfire risks, improving land resilience and fire prevention efforts.

Panel: Wildfire Resilience + Recovery

Dr. Sonya Leverkus discusses prescribed fire burn planning, patch burning systems, and her work with the agricultural sector on private and crown land.

Wylie Bystedt explores the role of a wildfire disaster recovery specialist in supporting farms, families, and communities.

Mike Pritchard shares his experience piloting virtual fencing as an alternative to traditional fencing and its role in wildfire preparedness.

Dr. Lori Daniels examines forest management strategies to reduce wildfire risk at the agriculture interface.

Carbon Sequestration

Agricultural landscapes are vital for climate resilience and carbon storage. Experts examine the role of grasslands, grazing, and agroforestry in capturing carbon and contributing to national climate efforts. Discussions cover how these processes can be monitored, measured, and verified, along with the barriers producers face in adopting carbon sequestration practices. With insights from researchers and industry leaders, the conversation highlights challenges, solutions, and opportunities for farmers to integrate sustainable strategies into their operations.

🎥 Watch workshop sessions

Webinar: Sinking carbon on agricultural lands – grasslands, grazing, and agroforestry

Dr. Edward Bork, University of Alberta, explores the carbon sequestration potential of grasslands, grazing, and agroforestry in western Canada.

Dr. Lauchlan Fraser, Thompson Rivers University, examines the role of rangeland management, including livestock grazing, in storing carbon and supporting ecosystem health.

Panel: From On-Farm Implementation to Verification

Experts from the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association, B.C. Farmland Advantage program, and out-of-province practitioners discuss how agricultural carbon sequestration can be monitored, measured, and verified.

Opportunities & Challenges: Panelists explore the role of farmland in climate change mitigation, barriers to implementation, and strategies to support producers in adopting carbon sequestration practices.