Whether you’re a landowner, conservation professional, researcher, student, or industry partner, the Southern Plains Grasslands Summit is your opportunity to connect, learn, and be part of shaping the future of grassland stewardship in the Southern Plains.
The Southern Plains Grasslands Summit brings together a diverse network of ranchers, wildlife experts, land managers, and researchers to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our working landscapes. This year’s summit will feature three tracks: Ranching, Wildlife & Biodiversity, and Conservation Resources Management, along with ranch and refuge tours, a vendor showcase, and a community social mixer. It’s a must-attend event for those passionate about the health and future of grasslands in the Southern Plains.
The Southern Plains Grasslands Summit is coming to Northwest Oklahoma, May 27, 28, and 29, 2026 at the new Salt Fork Event Center in Alva. The summit creates space for meaningful conversations, practical strategies, and research-based insights that strengthen the Southern Plains landscape.
The prairies across the central U.S. are home to bison, elk, hundreds of bird species, thousands of native plants, and countless pollinators, such as the Monarch Butterfly. Grasslands benefit us by providing food, clean water, carbon storage and sequestration, erosion and flood control, and remarkable places to recreate. Learning more about protecting and preserving the health of our grasslands is more important than ever before!
Southern Plains Grasslands Summit:
May 27, 2026, 8:00am – May 29, 2026, 5:00pm
Salt Fork Event Center – 27251 County Rd. 460, Alva, OK 73717
Learn more and register here: Southern Plains Grasslands Summit | Woods County OK Economic Development
Submit a presentation by April 24, 2026, to: KLDecker@nwosu.edu
For sponsorships, booth spaces, and more information, contact Kay Decker at:
KLDecker@nwosu.edu or 580-327-7649
