Dr Walter Willms is an Emeritus Scientist working on the ecology and management of natural grasslands (rangeland) with Agriculture and AgrFood Canada, Lethbridge. The general area of work has been to understand the prairie ecosystems in western Canada in order to encourage their retention and conservation. To do that, he conducted studies to understand the role of grazing disturbance in affecting ecological processes and outcomes of the grasslands as defined by their productivity, biodiversity and the genetic diversity of a key grass species. He has served as adjunct professor with the Universities of Alberta and Saskatchewan and continues to work with the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. He has been blessed with the collaboration of many scientists and the support of his wife, Maureen, and children.