US National Grasslands Survey 2026
New GlobeScan research for America’s Grasslands Coalition shows how awareness drives support for conservation of one of the United States’ most important and threatened ecosystems.
A newly released national survey by GlobeScan, conducted for the America’s Grasslands Coalition, highlights a striking gap in public awareness about grasslands and a significant opportunity to build support for their protection.
Despite being the largest natural habitat in the United States, grasslands remain poorly understood by the public. However, the research shows that when people learn more about these ecosystems, they quickly recognize their importance and express strong support for conservation.
Grasslands play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, sustaining rural livelihoods, storing carbon, and maintaining ecological balance. Yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate, with only about half of historic grasslands remaining.
Key findings:
- Awareness of grasslands remains low: Only 16 percent 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 percent 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 percent of respondents rank grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems.
- Need for conservation is underestimated: Only 24 percent 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 percent are likely to support grasslands conservation. 47% think the future of grasslands directly 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.”
Why Grasslands Matter
Grasslands – including prairies, savannas, and shrublands – cover nearly one million square miles across the United States. They are essential for:
- Supporting wildlife and biodiversity, including many at-risk species
- Sustaining agriculture and rural livelihoods
- Storing carbon and contributing to climate resilience
- Maintaining soil health, water systems, and ecosystem balance
Their continued loss poses risks not only to nature, but also to food systems, communities, and long-term environmental stability.
This research is based on a nationally representative survey conducted by GlobeScan between April 16 and April 28, 2026, with 2,014 respondents across the United States.
The findings form part of a broader effort by the America’s Grasslands Coalition to elevate grasslands as a national conservation priority and to build public awareness and engagement through the U.S. Grasslands Campaign.
The America’s Grasslands Coalition is a collaborative initiative bringing together leading conservation organizations to protect and restore US grasslands.
Through the US Grasslands Campaign, the Coalition aims to increase public understanding of grasslands and mobilize support for conservation action. Founding partners include organizations such as WWF, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, and others working across ecosystems, communities, and policy.
