March online conversation – 'Pastoralists need more access to markets'
Join our third rangeland myths online conversation of 2026, on the myth of ‘pastoralists need more market access to thrive’, on Thursday, 26 February from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm GMT.
Our speakers are Timothy Gibbs and Oluwaṣeun Williams, and the discussion will be co-chaired by Ilse Köhler-Rollefson and Lars Otto Naess.
We warmly invite anyone with an interest in rangelands, pastoralism and myths about them, to join, share your stories and rethink how we ‘see’ rangelands and pastoralism.
Think pieces
2 March 2026 - Linda Pappagallo
Myth: Pastoralists need more markets to thrive
The myth that pastoralists simply need ‘more markets’ to thrive rests on a set of deeply rooted assumptions about markets and animal husbandry.
2 February 2026 - Linda Pappagallo
Myth: Mobility drives conflict
Bias against mobile livelihoods has a long history, through colonial regimes into modern development thinking. But mobility can be a vital tool for connection and resilience.
9 January 2026 - Amber Huff
Myth: The tragedy of the commons is inevitable
As the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists calls attention to the global diversity, importance, and governance of the world’s rangelands, the myth of the tragedy of the commons is particularly relevant and illustrative of the power and dangers of universalising and reductive myths.
27 December 2025 - Amber Huff & Linda Pappagallo
Rethinking what we think we know about rangelands and pastoralism
In this introductory blog on ‘rangeland myths’ we emphasise the need to rethink what we think we know about rangelands and pastoralism in ways that are open to diverse perspectives, experience and knowledges.
Updates and events - exploring rangeland myths in 2026
In 2026 REPAiR is hosting a series of activities and events to explore ‘rangeland myths’ in global perspective. We offer an open invitation to get involved, share your experiences and stories, and help us to rethink what we think we know about rangelands and pastoralism.
Monthly themes for 2026
January – The tragedy of the commons is inevitable
- Think piece – Myth: The tragedy of the commons is inevitable, by Amber Huff
- Online conversation – 22 January at 11am GMT. Details on Eventbrite
- Audio clip: Short talks by Amber Huff and Frank Matose
February – Mobility drives conflict and insecurity
- Think piece – Myth: Mobility drives conflict, by Linda Pappagallo
- Online conversation – 26 February at 11am GMT. Details on Eventbrite
- Audio clip: Introduction by Linda Pappagallo and talk by Teklehaymanot Weldemichel
March – Pastoralists need more markets to thrive
- Think piece – Myth: Pastoralists need more markets to thrive, by Linda Pappagallo
- Online conversation – 26 March at 11am GMT. Register on Eventbrite.
April – Carbon is carbon
May – People and livestock are bad for biodiversity
June – Healthy ecosystems are always ‘green’!
July – Working with nature is a ‘new’ solution
August – Fire is the enemy
October – Consultation equals participation
December – More data leads to better rangeland management
Send an email to Dr Linda Pappagallo or [email protected] for more information or to get involved – or sign up to the newsletter to receive regular updates.
Global survey on rangeland myths
What forms do myths take in different contexts, places, policies and spaces of debate? How are they used and by whom? What challenges and alternative stories exist, and how can they be amplified? Take our short survey in English, French, Spanish or Italian to share your knowledge and experiences of rangeland myths.