25 May 2025 | Toronto Star via UVic News
In Canada’s sweeping Arctic skies, the snowy owl has long symbolized untamed beauty and northern resilience. But now, this striking species is raising a red flag. A recent article reveals that snowy owl populations have dropped by nearly 40% in the past 24 years—an alarming trend that has prompted a recommendation to list the species as “threatened” in Canada.
At the forefront of this conversation is Dr. Louise Blight, an Adjunct Associate Professor in UVic’s School of Environmental Studies. With decades of experience in seabird ecology and conservation, Dr. Blight brings critical insight to the snowy owl’s troubling decline. As co-chair of the Birds Subcommittee for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), she has played a key role in evaluating the species’ status. In recent interviews, she points to climate change, habitat loss, and shifting prey availability as major forces behind the snowy owl’s dwindling numbers.
But snowy owls aren’t just a species in crisis—they’re a signal. As Dr. Blight notes, these birds are indicators of Arctic ecosystem health. When their numbers drop, it’s a symptom of larger environmental disruption unfolding across the North.
Dr. Blight’s work extends far beyond this single species. Her research spans from the Canadian Arctic to the Southern Ocean, exploring how seabirds respond to long-term environmental change. She is especially known for blending historical records with modern field data to track ecological shifts over time. As the Principal of Procellaria Research & Consulting, she continues to inform conservation policy both in Canada and globally. Curious to learn more? You can explore some of Dr. Blight’s recent open access research through UVicSpace—UVic’s institutional repository.
