Alberta's Strategy to Protect Species at Risk

Last review/update: April 29, 2008

Loggerhead Shrike The Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) is part of an overall process of wild species conservation in Alberta that incorporates both provincial and national goals and strategies.

In Alberta, species potentially at risk of extinction or extirpation are first identified through a Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, process that ranks the general status of each Alberta species. The purpose of this "coarse filter" process is to assign initial priorities for species assessment, data collection and species management. The Fish and Wildlife Division publishes reports on the general status of Alberta wildlife every five years. The next edition is to be completed in 2001 (see below for information on how to get your copy of the 1996 report).

If a species has been identified as risk, the Fish and Wildlife Division and Alberta Conservation Association jointly prepare a detailed Alberta status report. Using this report, and any relevant additional information, the Scientific Subcommittee of the ESCC then assesses what the risk of extinction or extirpation is for that species in Alberta. In this process, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) rating for the species is considered, but Alberta's assessment may differ because it is related only to the status of the species within the province.

The information gathered by the Fish and Wildlife Division, and the Scientific Subcommittee evaluation, are summarized and presented to the ESCC. The committee then decides what recommendations to make to the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development concerning the legal designation, management and recovery of the species.

If a species is legally designated as "endangered" or "threatened" under the Wildlife Act, the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development will prepare a recovery plan for the species. The role of the ESCC in this process is:

  • to identify appropriate stakeholders to assist scientists in preparing the recovery plan;
  • to review and provide advice on a draft plan; and
  • to facilitate appropriate public review of, and input into, a recovery plan.

A document called an Initial Conservation Action Statement briefly summarizes the recommendations of the ESCC concerning actions that should be taken by Alberta to conserve a species, including immediate actions needed while a recovery plan is being put in place. (By signing the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada in 1996, Alberta committed to the prompt development of recovery plans-one year [from the time the species is officially designated] for endangered species; two years for threatened species.) An Initial Conservation Action Statement is implemented immediately upon approval by the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development.

In keeping with commitments made under the accord, Alberta must also prevent species from becoming at risk. This action is cost-effective because it is less costly to manage for prevention than to recover an endangered or threatened species. The ESCC also recommends to the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development management strategies that will prevent a species from becoming at risk. Thus far, assessed species that are not at immediate risk of extinction or extirpation have been identified as "species of special concern" or "data deficient".

Initial Conservation Action Statements:

What They Contain

  1. Species description
  2. Alberta status (and rationale for status rating) as assessed by the Scientific Subcommittee of the ESCC
  3. Initial conservation responses recommended by the ESCC, including
    • legal designation recommended by the ESCC and a brief statement of the rationale
    • action and resources needed for conservation efforts

View examples of initial conservation action statements

Protection for Endangered and Threatened Species Under Alberta's Wildlife Act

  1. Protects nests and dens throughout the year of both threatened and endangered species.
  2. Provides penalties for killing or trafficking in endangered species (up to $100,000 fine and/or two years in jail).

Designated non-game species also receive some specific protections.

Wildlife Status Reports are available at:

Edmonton
Information Center - Publications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Main Floor, Great West Life Building
9915 - 108 St.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2G8
Phone: (780) 422-2079;
within Alberta use the Rite Line at 310-0000
Fax: (780) 427-4407

E-mail: env.infocent@gov.ab.ca
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/status/

Species Assessed

For a list of species that have been assessed by Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee please click here