GCC is proud to be a member of the national Grasslands Coalition Campaign, led by the Canadian Wildlife Federation with funding from the Weston Family Foundation. As British Columbia’s grassland conservation voice, we bring unique perspective and advocacy for the province’s rare and often overlooked grassland ecosystems, which represent less than 1% of BC’s land base. This initiative unites grassland conservation leaders across Canada to raise public awareness about these vital ecosystems.
Why This Matters
Recent research reveals that only 1 in 4 Canadians can accurately identify what grasslands are, and many don’t recognize them as critically at-risk habitats. This knowledge gap is particularly concerning in British Columbia, where our grasslands face increasing pressure from development, climate change, and invasive species. Through this coalition, we’re working to change that by highlighting the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these endangered landscapes.
Campaign Timeline
- 2023: National Grassland Survey completed to establish awareness baseline
- 2024: Coalition formation and messaging development
- 2025: Launch of national awareness campaign
- 2026: Special focus during International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
Our Role
As coalition members representing BC’s grasslands, we’re collaborating to:
- Share grassland conservation messaging across our networks
- Contribute to creative concept development
- Help build a comprehensive asset library
- Participate in strategic planning and implementation
- Provide expertise on BC’s unique grassland ecosystems and conservation challenges
- Connect local grassland stories with national conservation efforts
Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting initiative develops. Together, we’re working to ensure more Canadians understand and value our precious grassland ecosystems, with special attention to British Columbia’s rare and distinctive grassland landscapes.
