Grassland Conservation and Wildlife Welfare

Grassland ecosystems support enormous biodiversity and their conservation improves welfare for countless species dependent on open habitat.

Key Facts

Temperate grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally
North American prairies have been reduced to less than 1% of their original extent
Grassland birds have declined by 40% in North America since 1970
Traditional grazing management can maintain grassland biodiversity better than abandonment
Burrowing animals like prairie dogs create habitat that benefits dozens of other species

Welfare Considerations

Grassland conservation directly improves welfare for the species that depend on open habitat. Grassland birds that have lost the habitat that meets their needs for foraging, nesting, and social display experience welfare deficits alongside population declines. Keystone species like prairie dogs whose burrow systems create shelter for hundreds of other species are persecuted as agricultural pests while their ecological role provides welfare benefits at ecosystem scale. Grassland restoration simultaneously addresses population conservation and individual welfare.

What You Can Do

Support grassland conservation organizations in your region
Donate to prairie dog and keystone grassland species protection programs
Advocate for agricultural policy that maintains grassland habitat
Learn about native grassland species and their habitat requirements
Engage with land trusts working on grassland conservation