Species at Risk

Stewardship & Recovery in Nova

Scotia

Outcomes & Linkages

• Understand SAR and what “at risk” means• Recognize different levels of risk• Be aware that legislation protects SAR• Identify SAR in Southwest Nova• Understand stewardship & recovery• Be familiar with local monitoring & experts

• This lesson prepares us for ourField day at Kejimkujik next week

What are SAR?

• Species at risk (SAR) are plants and animals in trouble, or threatened

• There are 500 in Canada, and 40+ in NS• Southwestern NS is one of the hotspots for SAR

• Video

HWW SAR

Levels of Risk

• There are several levels of risk:– Extinct

• Caribou

– Endangered• Blanding’s Turtle

– Threatened• Eastern Ribbon Snake

– Vulnerable• White Cedar

– Not at Risk• Deer

Laws protect Species at Risk

• SARA is the Canadian law that applies to all federal lands and waters.

• ESA is the Provincial law applies to all land managed by the province.

• All species at risk and their habitat are protected.

• Experts assess species to determine if they are “listed” in these laws.

• Once “listed” a SAR has protection.

SAR in Southwest Nova

• There are 11 SAR in Lunenburg County• 1 fish, 3 reptiles, 1 bird, 2 mammals, and 4 plants

• Mainland moose• Piping plover• Blanding’s turtle• Golden Crest• Atlantic whitefish

• Video HWW A-W

Who works with SAR?• All sectors are concerned about SAR• Businesses, government agencies (parks,

wildlife, forestry), and academia are involved• Kejimkujik is a local centre of excellence

• The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute employs a SAR team and completes contracts for many partners on SAR stewardship, recovery, and management

The Goal is Recovery

• SAR are a focus of work because they are rare, and we want populations to increase to natural levels.

• This is referred to as species recovery

• Recovery Teams of experts work to study, educate, and manage SAR.

• There are Recovery Teams for most SAR found in the province

Stewardship is the Way

• Stewardship refers to involving as many people as possible in activities to help a species that is at risk

• This might involve protecting lake shore habitat in cottage community (Fancy Lake) or placing protective cages over vulnerable nesting locations

• Stewardship is a often a community effort with immediate results and lasting benefits

Linkage to hands-on work

• Break into your 3 assigned groups to become familiar with the SAR that you have chosen

• Familiarize yourself with the species model and list all distinguishing features

• As a group, review the SAR Guide for your species, noting its status, threats, and how we can help recovery

• As a group discuss your top five questions for our experts on the field day next week