The National Process
Last review/update: January 26, 2007
There are two key cooperative processes that have driven endangered species conservation efforts nationally. One is the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), which was created by federal and provincial wildlife Ministers in 1977. This committee, which includes government, academic and non-academic experts, identifies wild species at risk of extinction in Canada.
In order to facilitate recovery of those species identified by COSEWIC as at risk of extinction, the committee on the Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife (RENEW) was created by the Wildlife Ministers’ Council of Canada in 1988. This committee oversees the development and implementation of recovery plans for species identified as "threatened" or "endangered" nationally. Alberta participates on all national recovery teams for COSEWIC-designated species at risk in the province.
The Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada, which Alberta signed in 1996, committed federal, provincial and territorial governments to increased cooperation and action on the conservation of species at risk. The formation of the Endangered Species Conservation Committee was one of the means by which Alberta began to meet its commitments under the accord.
