+ Who we are

The Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC is an environmental organization working to restore self-sustaining populations of burrowing owls to the southern interior grasslands of BC through conservation breeding and grassland conservation. The small charismatic ground-dwelling bird of prey is a flagship species for grasslands and is listed as a species at risk in Canada.

The Society also works with private landowners, governmental and non-governmental agencies and First Nations to promote sustainable rangeland management and stewardship practices as well as monitor owls along their migratory path.

To learn more about the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC, visit burrowingowlbc.org.

+ How the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC is involved in conservation breeding

In 1991, the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC initiated a conservation breeding and release program to reintroduce owls where they once live in BC. Owls are bred at one of three conservation centres and yearlings are released into their native grassland habitats using a soft release technique. The released owls and their offspring are then monitored to evaluate the success of the program and learn how to better protect the owls. Volunteers and staff also build and maintain many artificial burrows that provide a haven for the released owls. Over the span of the program, approximately 1800 owls have been released, close to 3000 owls have been born in the wild to released owls, and the burrowing owl migratory returns to BC have increased.

+ Why the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC supports caribou conservation breeding

We support caribou conservation breeding because all species have intrinsic value and need protection. Conservation breeding is one of the tools that can help a species in decline and, when used effectively with habitat conservation, can lead to better protection of that species. In moving forward with species conservation in Canada, we look forward to partnering with the Caribou Breeding Conservation Foundation and other conservation programs. By working together, we can more effectively slow, and even halt, the decline of many Canadian endangered and threatened species.