A NEW CALL TO CONSERVE A PRAIRIE ICON

Canada’s first-ever National Badger Day is here — and with it, a powerful opportunity to raise awareness about one of our most misunderstood and ecologically important grassland species the North American Badger.

Although often elusive and rarely seen, badgers play a critical role in prairie ecosystems. They help control pests, aerate and enrich soils through digging, and contribute to overall biodiversity and grassland health. Often, these characteristics can indeed bring badgers into conflict with people.

Yet despite these benefits, this fierce little mammal is quietly disappearing. Biologists across Canada have been sounding the alarm: badger populations are in decline, and are Endangered in British Columbia and Ontario under the federal Species at Risk Act. The Prairie population in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta is now listed as a Species of Special Concern. Scientists and conservation groups are urgently calling for more data from the prairie provinces — Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba — where firm numbers remain largely unknown and populations are continuing to trend downwards.

To meet this challenge, the Prairie Badger Working Group was launched, bringing together researchers, provincial and federal government agencies, and conservation organizations. Their mission is to coordinate research, strengthen collaboration, and engage landowners, citizen scientists, and photographers to help track badger sightings and activity across the Canadian Prairies.

This campaign isn’t just about celebration — it’s about action. North American Badger Day aims to spark curiosity, encourage conservation and coexistence, and keep this charismatic predator on the Prairies.

For more information, go to www.prairiebadger.ca 

Report badger sightings at the link here or connect with us via Manitoba Badger Spotter on Facebook.