Burrowing owls get a boost from ranchers

Southern Alberta Newspapers Photo Submitted by Scott Lovell and Caitlin Sloof.

By Christina Reesor
Operation Grassland Community

The launch of the new Burrowing Owl Alliance (BOA) website (burrowingowlalliance.ca) marks a significant milestone for grassland conservation in Western Canada. For the ranching community, this platform is more than just a gallery of cute owls—it is a comprehensive toolkit designed to support producers in balancing profitable operations with the stewardship of a Canadian icon.

“A Partnership Built on the Range”

The Burrowing Owl Alliance brings together regional experts in each of the four western provinces under one digital roof. The core message to the ranching community is clear: Grazing cattle and Burrowing Owls belong together.

The website emphasizes that cattle play a crucial role in maintaining the short-grass habitat these owls need. By regularly grazing grass, cattle give owls a clear view to spot predators and hunt for insects and small mammals.

Key Resources for Ranchers

1. Grassland Conservation “Best Management Practices”

The new site provides a “Landowner Manual” and “Landowner Card” specifically for those managing active pastures. Key takeaways for producers include:

• The Power of Burrows: Owls rely on “ecosystem engineers” like badgers, ground squirrels, and foxes to dig their homes. The Alliance encourages maintaining these burrowing mammal populations.

• Timing Matters: Simple adjustments, such as delaying haying in specific areas until young owls have fledged, can make a massive difference in survival rates.

• Targeted Pest Control: Guidance on avoiding the use of insecticides and poisons ensures that the owls’ food source (insects and small rodents) remains available and safe.

2. Regional Incentive Programs

Perhaps the most valuable feature for producers is the Incentives for Landowners page. The Alliance has centralized information on funding and support programs across the four western provinces. Your local contact can help you with what incentives might best fit your needs. Some of the incentives found that can fund conservation are Operation Grassland Community (OGC), Duck’s Unlimited, MUTISAR program, On-farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP), Farmland Advantage program and so much more!

3. Wildlife-Friendly Fencing

The website offers specific guidance on fencing. Traditional barbed wire can pose a risk to low-flying owls and other grassland birds. The Alliance provides resources on how to implement fencing that secures livestock while minimizing the impact on local wildlife—often with regional funding to help cover the costs. This can be replacing the fencing with wildlife friendly fencing to even changing to virtual fencing.

The “Eyes on the Ground”
Initiative

Ranchers are the most consistent presence on the grasslands, and the Alliance recognizes them as the frontlines of grassland conservation. The new website features an easy-to-use “Have you seen an owl?” reporting tool.

Reporting a sighting doesn’t lead to land-use restrictions; instead, it opens the door to voluntary support. One family of Burrowing Owls can eat up to 8,000 insects and 1,700 small mammals in a single breeding season—making them an excellent (and free) form of pest control for any ranch.

Why It Matters

Grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. By visiting burrowingowlalliance.ca, ranching communities can find the tools they need to ensure their land remains productive for their cattle and a home for the Burrowing Owl and other grassland-dependent species for generations to come.

Visit the site today to download the Landowner Manual, find out which incentive programs apply to your region, report sightings, or contact your local expert on Burrowing Owl Recovery.