Forests and
Grasslands

Canadian forests and grasslands have an important role to play in supporting our communities, our economy and our wildlife. Loss and alteration of habitat, toxic pollutants such the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides and climate change threaten Canada’s wildlife in our forests and farmlands.

The health of the majority of Canada’s wildlife depends on conservation actions taken in our forests, grasslands and farmlands. Learn how the Canadian Wildlife Federation is undertaking this enormous task.

Over the last several decades, agricultural intensification has diminished biodiversity on farmland. Intensification also increases risk of agricultural pollutants flowing into watersheds, which impacts fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Bats are amazing animals that are vital to the health of our environment and economy. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night – eating thousands of insects, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees. However, many of our bats are under threat of habitat loss, pesticides, white-nose syndrome and more.

Native prairie grasslands are the most threatened terrestrial ecosystem in Canada, and also the least protected. Less than 20 percent of their former area remains. The future of grasslands will depend upon the ability of governments, environmental organizations, and private foundations to support good grassland stewardship by ranchers and indigenous communities.

The iconic Monarch Butterfly is an Endangered Species. CWF believes that there are thousands of hectares of potential habitat for pollinators that could make a difference to Monarchs in Canada. Monarch butterflies are the umbrella species for CWF's pollinator habitat restoration work.

CWF is addressing the decline of pollinators within Canada. We carry out research and community science projects in collaboration with government, academic, municipal, conservation, and corporate partners. Our pollinator team also works with international partners throughout North America.

As more land is developed for human use, our gardens are needed now more than ever to provide wildlife with habitat that wouldn’t otherwise be there. Every wildlife-friendly garden is a haven that can act as a stepping stone between larger areas of natural habitat.

For more than 50 years, Hinterland Who’s Who has proudly been bringing Canada’s iconic wildlife directly into Canadians’ homes. Re-launched in 2003, the new video series — as well as comprehensive website — serves to rebuild the connection thousands of viewers made with wildlife through the original series.

To help us determine the health of an ecosystem, we can use Bioblitzes. A Bioblitz is a participatory search for species within a limited area and a limited timeframe that takes a “snapshot” of as many living things as possible.

If enough people record their observations in iNaturalist Canada, we can make a difference for Canada’s wildlife. We can build a living record of life in Canada that scientists and environmental managers can use to monitor changes in biodiversity, and that anyone can use to learn more about Canada’s amazing natural history.

Known as one of the largest ecosystems on the planet, the boreal forest wraps around the Northern Hemisphere and covers approximately 33 per cent of earth’s forested area. Nearly one-third of the global boreal forest zone resides within Canada and it extends from Newfoundland and Labrador to the Yukon and northern British Columbia.