The Canadian prairies are the northern reach of the great North American grassland, a country of enormous sky and short horizons where the wind is a constant fact. Beneath the wheat lies what was once mixed-grass and fescue prairie, home to bison in numbers difficult to comprehend, and pocked everywhere with the small glacial depressions known as potholes.
Those potholes matter more than almost anyone realises. The Prairie Pothole Region is the duck factory of North America, producing a majority of the continent’s waterfowl from a landscape of millions of shallow seasonal wetlands. Drain them for cropland, as has been done extensively, and the ducks that appear on marshes from Louisiana to Mexico simply do not appear.
The organizations here protect and restore the potholes, conserve the last native prairie in partnership with ranchers who are, in practice, its custodians, and work on the return of the bison and the recovery of grassland birds that are declining faster than any other group on the continent. It is quiet work in a landscape most people drive through.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
29 organizations working across this landscape.
Alberta Native Bee Council
Our mission is to promote conservation of native bee communities through research and monitoring, advocacy, education, and collaboration with others.
BizforClimate
By inviting companies to sign the Climate Action Pledge , we are growing a coalition of businesses who believe in using our collective voice and influence to call fo...
Canadian Honey Council
The Canadian Honey Council is the national association of beekeepers representing apiculturists across Canada. The CHC provides a forum where producers, packers, pro...
Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT)
We protect land to conserve biodiversity and connect people to nature.
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy
The EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to raising awareness of critical wildlife and conservation issues in Canada. We are exposing current wildlife managemen...
Green Action Centre
Green Kids Incorporated (Green Kids)
Green Kids Inc. is a professional theatre company and the only charity in Canada dedicated to environmental education through performance. Our mission is to educate...
Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan is a member-driven registered charity that believes in achieving goals through active, impartial dialogue with all stakehol...
Nature Alberta
Nature Alberta is dedicated to the greater appreciation and conservation of nature in Alberta.
Nature Saskatchewan/SK.Natural History Society
Nature Saskatchewan/SK.Natural History Society is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with terrestrial ecosystems. Based in Regina, SK, Canada, i...
Project Forest
Project Forest is a non-profit organization partnering with conservation groups, Indigenous communities and businesses to plant forests across Canada.
Safe Drinking Water Foundation
An environmental education organization that sends water testing kits to schools.
Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) works to advance waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and circular economy solutions across Saskatchewan.
SevenGen Energy
Our mission is to create a space where Indigenous youth and communities are mobilized to advance in the energy and sustainability sector through capacity building, p...
Southern Alberta Land Trust Society
The Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS) is a non‐profit society dedicate to protecting the environmental, scenic and cultural values of southern Alberta's fo...
Sustainable Food Edmonton
Treaty Land Sharing Network
The Treaty Land Sharing Network coordinates land sharing between farmers and Indigenous people looking for safe access to land to practice their way of life.
University of Alberta: Canadian Ice Core Lab
University of Alberta: Canadian Ice Core Lab is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with climate adaptation. Based in Edmonton, AB, Canada, it is...
Wilderness International Canada
Wilderness International protects endangered wilderness areas and its biodiversity through purchase.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton (WRSE)
Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton (WRSE) is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with biodiversity & wildlife. Based in Edmonton, AB, Ca...
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Our mission is to provide rescued wolfdogs with a meaningful and fulfilled life, while offering experiential education to promote the well-being and understanding of...