Will You Help to Protect the Sage Grouse?

Dear Larry, It is like nothing you've ever seen before. This charismatic, five pound bird, with a spikey tail and a plump, brownish-gray body struts, swishes, pops and whistles. He puffs out sacs from his incredible white chest and erects his head back and forth in a beautiful dance trying to attract a mate. You’re seeing the Greater Sage-grouse and he is performing a ritual that has gone on for centuries, a ritual that could be lost forever,  if we don't act now.  The south corner of Alberta and Saskatchewan is one of the last remaining areas of the sage grouse -- a magnificent bird species that needs large expanses of undisturbed grasslands to thrive. But, increased oil pipelines in the heart of their range, coupled with other activities, has directly impacted their habitat and driven the population to the brink of extinction. There are less than 13 male Sage grouse remaining in Alberta. With gas wells and other industrial activities continuing to threaten their home and their food source -- the sagebrush -- it will not be too long before this iconic bird is gone forever. In fact, the population has plummeted more than 90% in the past two decades. The reason is destruction of their habitat. Become a Guardian of Nature and receive this hiking pouch with our thanks! We can't guard over our  most endangered wildlife  without the generous support  of people like you! (Photo:  Gary Seib) But it's not too late to change the plight of the Sage-grouse. For several years, Nature Canada and  our members and partners have been on the front lines of the fight for the Greater-Sage grouse and  other wildlife that depend on the prairie grasslands that are disappearing. Please support Nature Canada today and help us continue to fight to protect the Greater Sage-grouse  and its home. Your small monthly gift of $15 will support critical efforts to protect  the Greater Sage grouse and other imperiled wildlife from development threats. You’ll help strengthen the fight by mobilizing thousands to speak out for stronger implementation  of Canada’s Species at Risk Act, releasing reports to make sure decision-makers have the facts, and  generating stories in media outlets to alert the public. Please join our “Guardian of Nature” club today and help prevent sage grouse and other  cherished wildlife from vanishing forever. You’ll support our efforts to strengthen legal protection to  save this species from extinction. Sincerely, Ian Davidson Executive Director, Nature Canada P.S. Want to do more to help our efforts this coming year? Please become a Guardian of Nature  monthly donor today. Your automatic monthly gift is a simple, efficient and most cost effective  way to protect nature.

Nature Canada protects and conserves wildlife and habitats in Canada by engaging people  and advocating on behalf of nature. With strategies based on sound science and a passion for  nature, Nature Canada effects change on issues of national significance, including bird   conservation, wilderness protection, endangered species and  connecting people to nature. 75 Albert Street, Suite 300 Ottawa, ON., K1P 5E7 Phone: 613-562-3447 Toll-free: 1-800-267-4088 Nature Canada ===== Please also read: "Unsung Victims of the XL Pipeline," here.