Letter of Concern regarding Alberta's critically low sage-grouse population

Letter of Concern regarding Alberta’s critically low sage-grouse population

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AWA is greatly concerned for the critically-low sage-grouse population. Sage-grouse are an iconic prairie bird, found only in the grasslands of North America. They are considered an indicator species for the sagebrush ecosystem, an ecosystem that supports an estimated 350 species across the Great Plains. Only an estimated 150 – 250 individuals are thought to remain in Canada, and 22 males were counted in the spring of 2022.

The critically-low sage-grouse population, despite conservation efforts, is a result of deteriorating habitat conditions. Human impact, including agriculture, energy development and infrastructure expansion, as well as rising interest in helium exploration, encroaches on the surviving sagebrush landscape. More must be done to protect and improve the sagebrush habitat, before sage-grouse and many other species are lost.

To read more about sage-grouse in Alberta, please see this article by Conservation Specialist Ruiping Luo.

If you share our concerns, please fill out the form below. This will cause a copy of the included letter to be sent to Canada’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Alberta’s Minister for Environment and Protected Areas. Note that the letter itself is editable, so please feel free to tailor it to add your own thoughts on the issue!

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Dear Minister Schulz and Minister Guilbeault,
I am writing to support further habitat protection measures to protect Canada’s greater sage-grouse. Sage-grouse are an important prairie species, and their survival is closely tied to the health of the sagebrush ecosystem. Only about 150 to 250 sage-grouse are estimated to remain in Canada, and a mere 22 males were counted in Alberta in 2022. 
Essential sage-grouse habitat continues to be threatened by human development, especially helium exploration, though also infrastructure expansion, agriculture, oil and gas and renewable energy. This habitat must be protected to conserve sage-grouse and many other species-at-risk.
I would like for you to:
<ul><li>Prevent further development, including helium exploration, in the sage-grouse range;</li>
<li>Extend the protections for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat;</li>
<li>Support policies and incentives to cease the loss of native prairie and valuable habitat; and</li>
<li>Encourage reclamation and habitat improvement through funding and appropriate procedure.</li></ul>
Sincerely,

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