A land ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land.
Health is the capacity of the land for self-renewal.
The voluntary land stewardship program recognizes landowners who are concerned about their native prairie and interested in maintaining it in a healthy state. Landowners are identified through an ongoing inventory carried out by the Critical Wildlife Habitat Program, Manitoba Conservation. Once the plant inventory of the land is complete and reports have been sent to the landowners, they are contacted by a representative of the Mixed-Grass Prairie Stewardship Program. During the home visit, an explanation of the inventory results is delivered as well as an introduction to the native prairie ecosystem. Management information such as rest-rotation grazing systems, weed and aspen control is also presented.