CWF and Partners Unveil "The Secret Life of Grasslands" to Protect Endangered Ecosystems
OTTAWA, Ontario, Feb. 10, 2026 – In a significant conservation effort, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has joined forces with partners to launch a new public awareness campaign titled The Secret Life of Grasslands. This initiative aims to shed light on the critical importance of Canada's native grasslands, which are rapidly disappearing, and to mobilize action for their preservation.
Overlooked Ecosystems with Vital Roles
John Wilmshurst, Native Grassland Conservation Manager for CWF, emphasized the often-underestimated value of these landscapes. "One of Canada's most important ecosystems is frequently completely overlooked," he stated. "A natural grassland is far more than an empty field; it is a vibrant landscape teeming with wildlife and providing essential services to Canadians." Despite supporting biodiversity, storing carbon, and sustaining local communities, grasslands are commonly mistaken for croplands or dismissed as barren and deserted.
Collaborative Conservation Efforts
As part of the 35-member Canadian Grasslands Coalition, CWF is raising awareness about the benefits and rich biodiversity of these habitats. Candice Pete-Cardoso, Director of the kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, underscored the urgency: "We must all work together to take care of what remains of the grasslands for future generations." This sentiment is echoed by Mitchell Zoratti, Environment & Climate Change Manager at the Canadian Cattle Association, who noted that beef farmers and ranchers play a key role in stewarding these working landscapes while contributing to food security and rural livelihoods.
Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity
Canadian grasslands are a natural solution to climate change, storing billions of tonnes of carbon in their soil. Their deep-rooted plant communities also filter fresh water, reducing the impacts of floods and droughts for thousands of communities. However, with less than 20 per cent of native grasslands remaining, these ecosystems are disappearing quickly, threatening species that depend on them.
Key Facts and Statistics
- There are 90 species at risk in Canadian grasslands, including birds like the Burrowing Owl and mammals like the Swift Fox.
- Grasslands store more than one-third of the world's land-based carbon, mostly in the soil.
- The top 60 centimetres of soil in Canada's native grasslands hold over 100 tonnes of carbon per hectare.
- A 2023 survey by Abacus Data and CWF revealed that fewer than one in four Canadians recognize grasslands as among the world's most endangered ecosystems.
- About two-thirds of grassland biomass is hidden underground, leading to their description as "upside down forests."
- Threats include climate change, invasive species, and development, including conversion to cropland.
To learn more about the campaign and ongoing conservation efforts, visit canadasgrasslands.ca and follow the hashtag #SecretLifeofGrasslands.
