Species at risk include native mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, plants and molluscs that have been assessed as being at risk of extinction at a national level. The majority of reports on these species make a clear link to specific human activities, which because of their intensity, extent, or persistence; have negatively affected the habitat or condition of particular species. The distribution of species at risk, therefore, is a reasonable indicator of the distribution of a variety of threats.

Helping species at risk can be as simple as learning more about the identification, habitats, and habitats of our species at risk.

The Species at Risk Act (SARA)

SARA’s primary objective is to prevent endangered or threatened species from becoming extinct and to promote their recovery. It is also intended to protect species of special concern in order to prevent them from becoming further at risk. The Act provides a framework for protection and recovery actions across Canada, and works in conjunction with other federal, provincial and territorial legislation to protect species at risk across Canada. These include:

Federal: COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)

Provincial: COSSARO (Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario)

Environment Canada: Section 8:1 NACOSAR (National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk)

What exactly does the Species at Risk Act do?

The Species at Risk Act provides a framework for the species listing process, defines protection measures and their application, provides guidance for recovery planning, and contains provisions concerning exceptions and permit applications. The Act also contains offences and punishments for violations of its provisions, but emphasizes the protection of species through stewardship programs.

There are 5 Classifications for species at risk in Ontario.

Status Definition Extinct (Ext) A native species that no longer lives anywhere in the world Extirpated (Exp) A native species that no longer exists in the wild in Ontario, but still exist elsewhere. Endangered (End) A native species facing extinction or extirpation Threatened (Thr) A native species at risk of becoming endangered if steps are not taken to address factors threatening it.  Special Concern (Sc) A native species that is sensitive to human activities or natural events which may cause it to become endangered or threatened.

The Need to Act for Species at Risk

Over the course of the history of life on Earth, many species have become extinct while new species have appeared. Even though mass extinctions have occurred from time to time, upsetting this balance, life always goes on.

Today however, life on Earth faces a new wave of mass extinctions. At the current rate, one to three species vanish every day. While previous waves of extinction were due to natural disasters, this one is different because humans are the cause.

In recent years, legislative measures have become necessary to ensure the survival of species and maintain biodiversity.

Humans have in the past and will in the future have the ability to affect our natural environment. Habitat is the most important element for our species’ survival on Mother Earth. Habitat protection, restoration and renewal should be our main objective.

WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT SPECIES

How do Species come on the path to Extinction?

Extinction is a natural process. Our fossil record is a true testimony to some of the species that once were found on earth. Today’s global rate of extinction has been 100 times higher than the natural rate, caused primarily by activities of the human race; by clear cutting forestry projects, converting lands to towns, farms, highways, over harvesting,  introduction of new and or exotic species and climate change.

All living things have common natural value; species also have an ecological role, such as pollination. The decline of local native species gives us an early warning of changes to our land, air and water that may affect peoples’ health and sustainability.

Although the essential needs of plants and animals differ greatly from one species to another, they can be grouped into three main categories:

Predators,

Shelter for protection from the weather and from external threats such as enough food and water to survive; and

Suitable conditions to reproduce and produce viable offspring.

If a species cannot meet one or more of its essential needs from the resources available in its habitat, its survival could be at risk.

There are over 353 species in Canada that have been designated as “at risk” in some way. This number changes as species are added to this list, go extinct or are no longer deemed “at risk” and removed from the list. Each species has a classification of “risk”

Shawanaga First Nations has 18 Species Listed under the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk and the Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk in which the SAR Team will be collecting data and locations of each Species within the Shawanaga First Nations Territory.

Treat the Earth and all that dwell there in with Respect.

Listed are the 18 Species at Risk English and Latin Terms for Shawanaga First Nations:

Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)	Threatened
Eastern Musk Turtle(Sternotherus odoratus)	Threatened
The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)	Endangered
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentia)	Special Concern
Eastern Ribbon Snake(Thamnophis sauritus)	Special Concern
Eastern Fox Snake(Pantherophis gloydi)	Threatened
Massasauga Rattlesnake(Sistrurus catenatus)	Threatened
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake(Heterodon platirhinos)	Threatened
Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)	Special Concern
Bald Eagle (Hallaeetus leucocephalus)	Special Concern
Canada Warbler (Wilsonia Canadensis)	Special Concern
Common Nighthawk ( Chodeiles minor)	Special Concern
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)	Threatened
Whip-poor-will(Caprimulgus vociferous)	Threatened
Least Bittern(Ixobrychus exllis)	Threatened
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)	Special Concern
CommonFive-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)	Special Concern
Branched Bartonia (Bartonia paniculata)	Threatened