It’s spring in Grasslands National Park and burrowing owls are returning from a winter away to lay their eggs in this rare and protected habitat.

Lush illustrations celebrate the magnificent wild prairie of Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan and feature the remarkable burrowing owls — the only owls in the world to live underground! Meet the owls as they prepare a burrow and lay their eggs. See tiny fuzzy owlets hatch and grow before flying to Mexico and Texas for the winter.

Sadly, these little owls who were once common in the grasslands of western and mid-western North America are now endangered. As the wild prairies were farmed and developed, far fewer places were left for the owls to nest and raise their young.

Today, biologists, Indigenous groups, landowners and conservationists are working hard to restore the vital grasslands and help this precarious species recover.

Includes an author’s note about successful burrowing owl recovery programs and other wild animals of Grasslands National Park.

WILD BY NATURE

A series for young readers that explores the unique links between ecologically sensitive species and their habitats, and encourages the preservation of the world’s wild places.

Key Text Features

illustrations

author’s note

further information

further reading

facts

Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.7

Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3

Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6

Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.