The number of plant and animal species at risk of disappearing in Canada is 345 and the list is growing.
The Government of Canada introduced the Species at Risk Act to protect endangered and threatened species and the spaces they need to flourish.
The purposes of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) are:
- to prevent wildlife species in Canada from disappearing,
- to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated (no longer exist in the wild in Canada), endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity, and
- to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is completing recovery strategies and management plans for over 80 wildlife species at risk in BC - 5 of these species are found in the SLRD:
- Sharp-tailed Snake (Endangered) – a snake found in southeastern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and on the mainland near Pemberton, British Columbia. Please note that draft critical habitat for this species has been identified in the Village of Pemberton.
- Coastal Tailed Frog (Special Concern) – a frog found in the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges of British Columbia.
- Northern Red-legged Frog (Special Concern) – a frog found on Vancouver Island and approximately the southern half British Columbia's coast.
- Northern Rubber Boa (Special Concern) – a snake found in roughly the southern third of mainland British Columbia.
- Western Toad (Special Concern) – a toad found throughout most of British Columbia.
Consultation takes place on each recovery document.
Recovery strategies. to identify critical habitat, are developed for any species listed as threatened, endangered or extirpated.
Residents are invited to provide input to the draft recovery documents for each of the above species. Download the handy questionnaire to provide your feedback. Or visit the Species at Risk registry during the 60 day public comment period. All comments received will be incorporated into the final document posted to the SARA Registry.