Requesting additional scientific information, Indigenous knowledge and community knowledge to be considered in preparing recovery strategies for four species at risk

Protecting and recovering species at risk in Ontario

Ontario provides protections for species at risk and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. The government is working with stakeholders, Indigenous peoples and the public to improve the effectiveness of the species at risk program so that we can continue to help preserve Ontario’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.

When a species is listed as endangered or threatened in Ontario, there is a process for gathering information and developing a policy to support the protection and recovery of each species.

First, we engage individuals and organizations outside of government with expertise on the species to write recovery strategies. Recovery strategies form the foundation of scientific advice to government and can include knowledge from:

• the public
• stakeholders
• Indigenous communities
• organizations

Once recovery strategies are finalized, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) develops a government response statement for each species’ recovery strategy. Each government response statement is a species-specific policy that includes:

• the provincial goal for the recovery of the species
• a summary of the prioritized actions we intend to lead and support in response to the associated recovery strategy

Draft recovery strategies for four species at risk

We invite Indigenous communities and the public to provide input on the draft recovery strategies for the following species:

• Hudsonian Godwit (a bird)
• Lake Whitefish (Opeongo Lake large- and small-bodied populations) (two distinct populations of a fish)
• Suckley’s Cuckoo Bumble Bee (an insect)

Please send your input and information on these species by August 31, 2023 to Recovery.Planning@ontario.ca. Your input may include information related to:

• the biology and distribution of the species
• its habitat
• threats
• approaches for protection and recovery

All comments and information received will be considered in developing the final recovery strategies.

We will publish the final recovery strategies on Ontario’s species at risk website and on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO). We will consider recovery strategy advice, comments received and other information in preparing the government response statements for these species.

There will be opportunities to comment on the potential impacts of implementing protection or recovery approaches when we develop the government response statements. An invitation to review and provide input on the drafts of these policies will be posted on the ERO when they are developed.

Other information

Information on these species can be submitted by email to: Recovery.Planning@ontario.ca