Burrowing owls return for spring

After spending the winter in Texas and Mexico, endangered Burrowing owls are making their way to our Canadian prairies to breed and raise their young.

Over the past 20 years, the population of these small owls has declined more than 90%. The drastic decline in population has been attributed to changes in the availability of suitable habitat, both here on the Canadian prairies, and on their migration and wintering grounds. Here at home, only 25% of our native grasslands remain.

Canada's grassland region is also home to many incredible land stewards - ranchers and farmers that work hard to produce our food, but also to protect and enhance wildlife habitats for species like the Burrowing Owl.

Having the good fortune to work directly with these land stewards, two prairie conservation initiatives are here to help: Nature Saskatchewan's Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO), and Alberta Fish and Game Association's Operation Grassland Community (OGC).

From awareness activities, to the protection of grasslands from cultivation, and the implementation of habitat enhancement projects, OBO and OGC work throughout the region to assist Canada's land stewards in their efforts to help the Burrowing Owl. Through generous support of various funding agencies, these conservation programs are also able to provide financial assistance toward enhancement projects that not only improve nesting and foraging habitats for the owls, but also benefit landholders' operations - proving that wildlife and humans can live in balance.

Currently, over 300 and 400 private landowners are enrolled in OGC and OBO, respectively, and are together conserving over 1 million acres of grassland habitat. Interested landowners can become members of these stewardship programs - joining forces to help protect grassland habitat for the Burrowing Owl and working to implement beneficial management practices in their operations.

If you see a Burrowing Owl, own land that has owls on it, or are simply passionate about prairie, don't hesitate to contact OGC (Alberta) or OBO (Saskatchewan) toll-free at 1-800-667-HOOT (4668).