Burrowing Owl Champions

Situated in the rolling prairie fields of southern Saskatchewan lies an unusual tourist attraction, highlighting a most engaging little bird.

The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC) is an educational facility dedicated to the conservation of burrowing owls and their prairie home. Opened to the public in 1997, the Centre promotes conservation through education, eco-tourism and land stewardship.

In the summer months, the focus is on in-house tours of the facility, and summer day camps for children. Emphasis is on learning about the prairie ecosystem, and the conservation of species and habitat.

A visit to the Centre includes:

• a walk through a giant burrow;
• the opportunity to view SBOIC’s captive owls in their outdor enclosure;
• the chance to see wild hawks, coyotes, jackrabbits, gophers, and other prairie wildlife in the adjacent field;
• the opportunity to learn more about native prairie plants

The burrowing owl population has been declining steadily for the past few years, and is listed on the Canadian Endangered Species list. Loss of nesting habitat to agriculture and poisoning of their insect prey – human caused threats – have diminished populations throughout both their summer and winter ranges.

Concerned conservationists like those at SBOIC are giving these little owls a fighting chance. The Centre should be on your summer visiting list, and don’t forget to adopt an owl while you’re there!

Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre

Located at:

250 Thatcher Drive East
Moose Jaw, SK  S6J 1L7 Canada
E-mail:      sboic@sasktel.net