GRF 20th Anniversary Celebration
GRF 20th Anniversary Celebration, June 24, 2026
Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage Site
18 kilometres (15 minutes) north and west of Fort Macleod on secondary Highway #785 (paved)
The Grassland Restoration Forum is celebrating 20 years! We warmly invite you to join us at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump for this special milestone. As we honour GRF’s work to promote the conservation and restoration of Alberta’s native grasslands — and celebrate the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists with our greater community and colleges — we wish to pay tribute to the Blackfoot Nation for the role they played in the early history of stewardship of these lands.
We look forward to celebrating together with you in a place rich with history, meaning, and connection
The event will take place June 24, 2026. We will meet at the Head Smashed In parking lot at 10 am. The event will conclude at 4:30 pm. Note: the entire facility closes to visitors and staff at 5 pm.
Website https://headsmashedin.ca/
Our agenda will include:
- A site tour of the facility led by Stan Knowlton, retired interpretive guide at Head Smashed In. Stan has participated in GRF activities and is an active member of the Prairie Native Seed Collaborative.
- A presentation of Stan’s current work with wild harvesting native hay and an opportunity to discuss current challenges in native seed supply.
- A guided hike to a vision quest site and the drive lanes with Stan. A chance to learn how the buffalo were managed in that landscape.
- A chance to re-engage with some of the founding members of the GRF.
Other activities at the site to celebrate National Indigenous History Month include: Indigenous drumming and dancing and a display by the Alberta Archives and a demonstration by the  Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation.
The cost is $12.60 per person, which covers the reduced entry fee for the Head Smashed In facility. Participants are asked to bring their own picnic lunch. The Buffalo Jump Cafe food service is closed; table seating is available. The nearest towns are Fort Macleod (23 km) and Pincher Creek (47 km). Registration through the GFR website is required.
Payment options:
– Credit card via Paypal
– Cheque made out to GRF c/o SASCI and mailed to SASCI, P.O. Box 1297., Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0
– e-transfer outside this system to (please select cheque on checkout and you will be contacted directly by Carrie) admin@sasci.ca
