04 MARCH 2025 (Calgary, AB) Veren has renewed its commitment to wildlife conservation with a generous contribution of $225,000 over three years. This funding will support the Wilder Institute’s Burrowing Owl Head-Starting Program as well as contribute to the areas of greatest need within their Alberta Species at Risk initiatives.
“Veren’s ongoing commitment to our Burrowing Owl Head-Starting Program highlights the power of collaboration in conservation,” said Kathryne Gibson, Director of Development at the Wilder Institute. “By working together, we can give these young owls the critical support they need while safeguarding the ecosystems they rely on. Partnerships like this are essential to ensuring a future where Alberta’s wildlife thrives.”
Burrowing owls, which nest exclusively underground, have seen their numbers plummet due to habitat loss and other environmental challenges. Since 1990, their population in Canada has declined by 90%, making them one of the most endangered bird species in the country. Launched in 2016, the Wilder Institute’s head-starting program aims to enhance juvenile owl survival rates by nurturing them through their critical first winter before releasing them back into their natural habitats. To date, 145 burrowing owls have been successfully reintroduced into the wild through this program, offering hope for the future of this iconic species.
With Veren’s renewed support, the Wilder Institute can continue its vital efforts to bolster the wild populations of this endangered prairie bird and expand support for additional programs through its Alberta Species at Risk portfolio, including conservation initiatives focused on the half-moon hairstreak and whooping crane.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Wilder Institute,” said David Gowland, Director, ESG & Stakeholder Engagement at Veren. “With a proven track record of success, their programs play a vital role in safeguarding Alberta’s wildlife, and we are committed to supporting their important work. Together, we can create lasting benefits for wildlife and the places they call home.”
Partnerships like this are essential for driving innovative solutions to conservation challenges and building a future where people and wildlife thrive, together.
Learn more about the Burrowing Owl Head-Starting Program at https://institutwilder.org/conservation/burrowing-owl/
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For more information contact:
Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Engagement
403.232.7766 | 403.919.9482 | mediarelations@calgaryzoo.com
The Wilder Institute is a global authority on wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve and sustainably manage their own natural resources to positively impact both nature and communities. Our passionate team of staff and volunteers is committed to building a future where people and wildlife thrive, together. Through an inclusive conservation approach and innovative science, we work to save threatened and endangered species and return them to the wild, where our planet needs them to be. We proudly own and operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre, Canada’s largest conservation breeding and research facility. Our expertise lies in conservation breeding and community conservation, using a collaborative approach to work alongside communities and create lasting benefits for both nature and people. Join us in making the world a wilder place—learn more at institutwilder.org/.