The collaborative Open Country Working Group is dedicated to preserving rare and important tallgrass prairie habitats within the Long Point Walsingham Forest (LPWF) Priority Place. Open Country refers to any vegetation community where the combined cover of trees and shrubs over 1 meter tall is less than 60%, excluding agricultural lands. This includes tallgrass communities, which support significant biodiversity and whose deep roots prevent soil erosion and help clean the air and water.

Group priorities include:

• Developing a database on historical and restored tallgrass prairie in the LPWF.
• Collaborating on restoration and management activities on private and public lands to improve the condition of tallgrass prairie, such as through prescribed fire and planting more native flowers.
• Providing opportunities for the public to learn about tallgrass prairie ecosystems and their management.
• Supporting private landowners in managing, restoring, and maintaining open country habitats on their lands.

Partner organizations involved in this group include Natural Resource Solutions Inc., Nature Conservancy of Canada, Long Point Basin Land Trust, St. Williams Conservation Reserve, ALUS Norfolk, Canadian Wildlife Service, and Ontario Nature.