Grasslands National Park - Why You Should Care

Stormy skies over Grasslands National Park

Leaving Waterton National Park and heading to Grasslands National Park on a cold, windy, and rainy morning in late May, I was filled with anticipation to explore a new ecosystem I knew very little about. As a wildlife photographer with a deep passion for the environment, I couldn't wait to document the unique landscapes and wildlife that awaited us.

Coyote at Sunrise  (apologies on image quality Shopify's update compresses then expands the image hopefully this is fixed soon as it is greatly impacting the image quality)

However, our journey was far from smooth. Google Maps led us astray, directing us onto over 200 kilometers of gravel road, starting unexpectedly in the middle of a secondary highway. It wasn't near any community or other roads, and changing our path would have meant a lot of backtracking, adding about two hours to our already long seven-hour trip. My fifth wheel and I were not thrilled, but my husband and I soldiered on, navigating the empty country roads slowly and making the most of the vast, open skies. Along the way, we spotted hawks soaring above, a reminder of the incredible wildlife we were about to encounter.

Burrowing Owl at Sunrise (apologies on image quality Shopify's update compresses then expands the image hopefully this is fixed soon as it is greatly impacting the image quality)

We finally arrived at Frenchman Valley campground shortly after supper. After a quick chat with the park staff at the camp office, we got valuable advice on the best spots to see burrowing owls. We set up camp, took the dogs for a short walk, grabbed a quick sandwich, and I was out the door about an hour and a half before sunset, eager to find the owls. I was successful, spotting two, though they were quite far away and quickly disappeared into the landscape.

Black Tailed Prairie Dog at Sunrise (apologies on image quality Shopify's update compresses then expands the image hopefully this is fixed soon as it is greatly impacting the image quality)

The next morning, I was up at 4:15 am, determined to capture the elusive owls. I was fortunate to photograph one for almost an hour. Returning to our camper around 8 am, I had breakfast, packed a lunch, and my husband, our dogs, and I headed off to hike the 70-Mile Butte, a recommendation from the park staff. With time to explore and enjoy the park, I was amazed by the diversity of this ecosystem.

Sharp Tailed Grouse unfortunately I never saw the Greater Sage Grouse (apologies on image quality Shopify's update compresses then expands the image hopefully this is fixed soon as it is greatly impacting the image quality)

I had come specifically to photograph burrowing owls for an upcoming campaign with the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, but I soon realized that Grasslands National Park had so much more to offer. Over 70% of North America’s northern mixed grass prairie has disappeared or been fragmented, making this park a critical protected area. It boasts over 70 different grasses and park staff are actively reintroducing sage grasses to restore habitats for the endangered greater sage grouse.

American Bittern in one of the wetlands areas (apologies on image quality Shopify's update compresses then expands the image hopefully this is fixed soon as it is greatly impacting the image quality)

The park's varied landscapes—shrubby areas, coulees, rocky sections, wetlands, and grasslands—create a haven for a diverse range of species. Beyond the burrowing owl, there are many other inhabitants whose numbers are of concern. Endangered species include the greater sage grouse, mountain plover, sage thrasher, and greater short-horned lizard. Threatened species encompass the loggerhead shrike, Sprague’s pipit, eastern yellow-bellied racer, black-tailed prairie dogs, plains bison, ferruginous hawk, and swift fox. Species of concern include the long-billed curlew, northern leopard frog, short-eared owl, Mormon metalmark, peregrine falcon, and prairie rattlesnake.

A Solitary Plains Bison 

The park has also seen successful reintroductions of the black-footed ferret, swift fox, and plains bison after they were once extirpated from the region. Grizzlies once roamed these plains and coulees nearly a century ago. Park staff continue to restore native plants, monitor wildlife populations (I spoke with staff assessing the black-tailed prairie dogs), and educate the public about the importance of preserving the grasslands.

Long Billed Curlew (apologies on image quality Shopify's update compresses then expands the image hopefully this is fixed soon as it is greatly impacting the image quality)

Despite my short stay, I felt a deep connection to the park and its inhabitants. I realized the urgency of protecting such areas, where the loss of habitat leads to declining species numbers. Once a species is gone, it is gone forever. Education and awareness are crucial in maintaining and protecting these dwindling ecosystems.

I immersed myself in learning about the park and continue to research, determined to return better prepared to tell the stories of the grasslands. We must care, no, we need to care about these areas. They are vital for the survival of countless species and for the health of our planet. As a visual storyteller, I am committed to sharing these stories, to inspire others to join in the effort to protect our natural world.

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