Alberta and Its Species at Risk

Last review/update: January 26, 2007

Photo of a volunteer with Saw-Whet Owl
Alberta has a rich natural heritage. The province has hundreds of species of vertebrate animals, and thousands of species of plants and invertebrates, whose populations are healthy and stable. However, the populations of some wild species have decreased to such an extent that they can no longer sustain themselves. Other species are in danger of reaching this point.

In response, the Alberta government has developed a process to prevent "species at risk" from becoming extinct or extirpated. The approach is innovative and practical, and allows the incorporation of broad social and economic values into the process. It is also cooperative and collaborative, and is backed up by provincial legislation (the Wildlife Act). The process relies on sound science plus a realistic understanding of land use and land management, both of which are needed for the effective management and recovery of species at risk.

The Alberta approach relies upon the activities of the Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) and its scientific arm, the Scientific Subcommittee, both created under the auspices of the Wildlife Act in 1998.

The main role of the ESCC is to advise the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development on matters related to the identification, conservation and recovery of species at risk in Alberta. Its specific functions are:

  • to recommend the necessary legal designation and protections for threatened and endangered species in Alberta; Alberta and Its Species at Risk
  • to facilitate the planning and implementation of conservation programs and recovery plans for species at risk; and
  • to recommend actions that will prevent species from becoming at risk in the future.

Appendixes 1 and 2 provide the Policy Statement and Terms of Reference of the ESCC.

The Scientific Subcommittee is an independent subcommittee of the ESCC. Its purpose is to study the scientific information available on species identified as potentially at risk in Alberta. The Scientific Subcommittee provides the ESCC with its analysis of the biological status of the species at risk and recommends an appropriate status designation. It may also suggest immediate actions that need to be taken to protect the species. The ESCC evaluates this assessment in making its recommendations to the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, and includes it with its report to the Minister. Appendix 3 details the Terms of Reference of the Scientific Subcommittee.

The creation of the ESCC has added a new dimension to the ongoing process of species assessment carried out in Alberta. The result will be clear identification of species at risk and the timely development of recovery plans and management programs for these species.

Recovery Plans

In Alberta, a recovery plan is prepared by a recovery team consisting of scientists, government wildlife managers, members of conservation groups and interested stakeholders. Stakeholders include individuals and organizations that own, manage and/or use the land upon which the species relies.

A recovery plan outlines known information about a species and its habitat (and threats to them), as well as what data is needed to assist the species' recovery, both long-term and short-term goals for recovery, and the actions needed to achieve these goals.

Alberta recovery plans are dynamic documents that identify and guide recovery actions in Alberta. They normally reflect and fulfill strategies identified in national recovery plans.

Definitions

Definitions Used by the Endangered Species Conservation Committee

Species at Risk: A species at risk of extinction or extirpation (endangered or threatened), or a species that needs special management attention to prevent it from becoming at risk.
Extinct: A species that no longer exists.
Extirpated: A species no longer existing in the wild in Alberta but occurring elsewhere in the wild.
Endangered: A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened: A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Species of Special Concern: A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.
Data Deficient: A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.
These definitions are based on those used by COSEWIC. For more information see the COSEWIC website