KAMLOOPS — Grasslands are the underdog of B.C.’s biomes. They take up less than one per cent of the province’s land base, yet they are home to nearly one-third of its at-risk species. Despite their importance, these ecosystems are in danger of disappearing, says Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Professor Dr. Wendy Gardner, and we could do a better job at raising awareness about them.
“Grasslands offer a myriad of benefits to humans and animals alike,” she says. “But more often than not, the general public doesn’t understand the value in how important these ecosystems are.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Gardner will present a public lecture, The Importance of B.C. Grasslands: Building Our Understanding, in which she explains exactly what makes grasslands so vital today. Grasslands provide a host of ecosystem services such as grazing land for livestock, capturing and holding water, providing habitat for many species, capturing carbon and being home to plants that are of medicinal and cultural value to Indigenous people.
These important ecosystems are facing threats. Grasslands are being encroached by housing development, recreation demands and agriculture, as well as invasive species and climate change. The lecture is part of TRU’s Inaugural Professorial Lecture series, where recently promoted faculty members share their academic passion with the community. It’s also a way for the university to celebrate this milestone in academics’ careers. Gardner was promoted to professor in the Faculty of Science in March 2024.
Gardner’s lecture is open to everyone.
What: Dr. Wendy Gardner speaks on The Importance of B.C. Grasslands: Building Our Understanding
Where: Kamloops TRU campus, Scratch Café in the Culinary Arts Centre
When: Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Other details: The event is free, but reservations are requested for seating and refreshments. Please RSVP by Jan. 28.
The lecture will be recorded and posted on the TRU website at a later date.
—30—
Contact:
Michele Young, Manager, Communications Content
University Relations, Thompson Rivers University
250-828-5361 | micyoung@tru.ca
