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Sustaining Bird Habitats & Rural Communities
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Half of Americans Have Little to No Knowledge of Grasslands, the Country’s Largest Natural Habitat

A new survey finds that, after learning more, 68% of respondents now consider grasslands a critical ecosystem.

Forty-seven percent of Americans are unfamiliar with grasslands—one of the nation’s most essential and most threatened ecosystems, according to new national survey findings released by the America’s Grasslands Coalition. However, after completing the survey, more than two-thirds ranked grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems. The America’s Grasslands Coalition sees this as a promising sign that increasing appreciation and awareness of America’s grasslands is the key to catalyzing conservation action. The results are part of a nationally representative survey conducted by GlobeScan during April 16-28, 2026, with a sample size of 2,014.

A foundation of biodiversity and rural livelihoods, grasslands play a vital role in supporting wildlife, storing carbon, sustaining food systems, and maintaining ecosystem balance. U.S. Grasslands, including savannahs and shrublands, currently cover nearly 1 million square miles. And yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate, with only about half of the country’s historic grasslands remaining. This decline threatens wildlife, rural economies, and climate resilience.

Key findings

Awareness of grasslands remains low: Only 16% of surveyed Americans say they have a significant or a lot of knowledge about grasslands, while nearly half (47%) claim having little or no knowledge.


Perceived importance rises with awareness: At the beginning of the survey, only 31% of respondents place grasslands among the top three most important ecosystems, which makes grasslands’ overall importance-ranking fall behind freshwater (69%), forests (61%), and oceans (45%). By the end, after learning more, 68% of respondents rank grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems.


Need for conservation is underestimated: Only 24% of respondents identify grasslands as one of the top three most threatened, placing them near the bottom among all ecosystems.


Strong support for conservation: 71% are likely to support grasslands conservation. 47% think the future of grasslands affects them personally and 58% believe their actions can make a difference in protecting grasslands.


“Grasslands are among America’s largest natural habitats, supporting wildlife, food systems, and communities across the country, but too few Americans realize how important they are,” said Martha Kauffman, vice president of WWF’s Great Plains Program. “The encouraging news is that people are ready to act once they make that connection.”

In response, leading conservation organizations have formed the America’s Grasslands Coalition, with 10 partners leading the US Grasslands Campaign to elevate grasslands as a national conservation priority. This public awareness campaign, with multiple waves during this summer and next year, aims to increase public understanding of grasslands and build nationwide support for their conservation.

“As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this is a moment to recognize the landscapes that have shaped the nation,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at WWF. “From iconic species like bison to the communities that depend on them, grasslands are part of that heritage—and protecting them is part of our shared future.”

“Grasslands are essential for all of us, from the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the wildlife we enjoy. Grasslands are part of the heart of our country and core to our lives. However, birds and other wildlife are declining at alarming rates and our rural communities are disappearing. This public campaign shows that when people understand grasslands, they value them—we now have an opportunity to translate that awareness into meaningful conservation action that supports cultures, livelihoods, wildlife, and people.”
Tammy VerCauteren– Tammy VerCauteren, Executive Director, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
“Borderlands Restoration Network is thrilled to join the America’s Grasslands Coalition for the conservation of our beloved native grasslands. We protect and restore the binational, biologically significant Sky Islands region and reconnect communities to the land through shared learning. Here, our expansive native grasslands are fundamental, serving as the connective tissue of the region, allowing jaguars and black bears to move and thrive alongside hardworking rural communities.”
Rodrigo Sierra CoronaExecutive Director, Borderlands Restoration Network
“Grasslands are more than open spaces on a map. For many Native Nations, these landscapes are ancestral homelands that hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. They are living, breathing, ecosystems that are intertwined with our cultures, histories, and ways of being. These survey results give me hope that, by raising awareness about grasslands, more people will be inspired to help and support conservation efforts that will ensure future generations can learn from and enjoy these landscapes as well."
Antonio ‘Tony’ Morsette (Citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe)Land Conservation Program Officer, Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance
“This campaign reinforces what many of us working across North America's grasslands have long understood: when people understand the importance of grasslands, they want to see them conserved. From supporting agricultural livelihoods and rural communities to sustaining wildlife and strengthening ecosystem resilience, grasslands deliver benefits that touch all of our lives. The US Grasslands campaign is helping build a broader constituency for these landscapes and creating momentum for the collaborative conservation action needed to secure their future."
Maggie HannaDirector, Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
“Grasslands are home to some of the fastest-declining bird species in the United States. Increasing public awareness of grasslands is essential to mobilizing the science, policy, and conservation action needed to reverse these trends.”
John BowmanCenter for Conservation Media, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
"This survey sends a clear message: when people learn about grasslands, they recognize their importance for birds, people, and the planet. Now is the time to build on that awareness. Public understanding is the foundation for the policies, partnerships, and stewardship practices needed to conserve grasslands and support the wildlife and communities that depend on them."
Marshall JohnsonChief Conservation Officer, National Audubon Society
“The Southeast is home to some of the most biodiverse grasslands in the world, yet they have often been forgotten and are under-protected. This research highlights the power of awareness to drive conservation and the importance of recognizing grasslands in every region.”
Dwayne Estes and Theo Witsellco-founders, Southeastern Grasslands Institute
"Grasslands are at the core of America's cultural identity and are home to iconic species of wildlife. But they are increasingly at risk. We must take bold steps to conserve and enhance our grasslands so that nature and people thrive."
Brian ObermeyerGreat Plains Grasslands Strategy Director, The Nature Conservancy
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