Plenty develops Species At Risk awareness initiative

Aboriginal participation in species at risk (SAR) protection action is beginning in our territory with support from Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada through a regional strategy named the Aboriginal Critical Habitat Funds (ACHPF). This effort supports objectives stated in the Species at Risk Act (SARA). 

Plenty Canada has developed a project for which the activities outlined by our engagement fall into two fairly simple categories.

The first is a SAR research inventory. Unlike much more costly on-the-ground species inventories we’re first making a search for existing information on species specifics and local habitats. It’s something like starting with the known. An example is the butternut tree. The spread of butternut canker has reduced healthy populations of this tree in our area dramatically. Strategies to address this decline have focussed mostly on identification of seemingly resistant trees in an attempt to grow stocks that may inherit some degree of natural resistance. Our project asks Algonquin and neighbouring Aboriginal communities for help with butternut recovery and also other locally occurring SAR. Our database will provide localised reference for identifying important populations and habitat particulars valuable in maintaining recovery actions and the all-important planning of them.

Our second activity set is based on local aboriginal perspectives. Using species Aboriginal people recognize as culturally significant helps gain interest and support for becoming involved in the cause of protection by bringing it all back home. No fewer than six species of turtles are on the SAR lists and forest plants, too, are much more than symbolic icons to Aboriginal people. Scientific jargon, concerns about formidable restrictions on land use and top-down management styles in government have all served as much to alienate many rural people as to provide the intended SAR protection ‘round these parts. Bringing ownership of SAR protection to Aboriginal people seems like an obvious fit, and things are beginning to happen. Small efforts such as ours are a sure step forward. Our project was approved to engage in an exchange of perspectives on SAR and, hopefully, to develop and contribute to a better understanding of habitat protection and recovery strategies. It’s our aim that benefits might well accrue to both worlds – there’s no reason science and governments, too, can’t gain from such efforts! 

Please get in touch with us for updates, information and input.

Inventory of local species at risk, what we know:

There are a number of species at risk (SAR) in the Mississippi and Rideau watershed regions ranging from the special concern designation to endangered. More information about locally occurring SAR, including photographs, can be found at www.plentycanada.com or by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Here is an abbreviated listing of some species that are currently at risk locally:

Wood turtle (Glyptoclemys insculpta): Mikinak-pagwaskig is threatened by continuing collection and loss of critical habitat. Because Mikinak is a particular cultural icon or symbol it is especially important that we learn more about how to protect the remaining habitat necessary for survival. This turtle prefers clear, sandy-bottomed streams and minimal disturbance. Low reproductive rates and increased predation as well as mortality on roads constitute the main obstacles to population recovery.

Spotted turtle (Clemys guttata): Mikinak-Kidagazi is experiencing unrelenting pressures from collecting as well as habitat loss. They are shy and tend to avoid disturbance. Their habitat and prognosis is much the same as the wood turtle. Special efforts to identify and protect critical habitats must be done soon. Logging and recreational-vehicle activity near these habitats impacts heavily upon already-beleaguered populations of endangered turtles mostly on Crown lands in eastern Ontario. 

American eel (Anguilla rostrata): Pimizi has suffered a population crash. Eels were plentiful prior to the construction of dams although major decline has occurred in the last 15 years. Science knows only some aspects of eel biology and much of their lives remain a mystery. Intensive local surveys are planned for 2008.

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucophalus): Kiniw is at risk in eastern Canada, but has made population progress in our territory. Reductions in pesticide and herbicide uses in southern Ontario have made the difference, but water-borne contaminants continue to pose threats to our regional ecosystems. The eagle is one of the most evocative symbols of habitat integrity.

Butternut (Juglans cinerae): Paganakomin is a succession tree of forest openings and margins that is at risk due to the rapid spread of a pathogen or canker. There is a possibility of a very serious population reduction or possible extinction. Certain individual trees appear to exhibit a resistance that is currently being tested for possible inheritability by planting and rearing identified genotypes in both relatively isolated locations and adjacent to existing natural stands.

Kirtland’s warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii): The only breeding records for this bird in Canada are from a site near Petawawa. These warblers are extremely rare and prefer jack pine uplands where they nest on the ground. Late, wet spring conditions limit any chance of successful nesting and they, too, are victims of habitat loss.

King rail (Rallus elegans): This is another endearing but endangered bird. A very few confirmed nesting pairs survive regionally, somewhat near Gananoque, Ontario, but the disappearance and fragmentation of wetlands limits recovery.

American ginseng (Panax quinquifolia): This plant is so well known by reputation that description is unnecessary, but concern is. Widespread collection continues to seriously threaten the few remaining natural stands with both logging and recreational vehicles on public (Crown) lands limiting potential for self-sustaining stand recovery. Ginseng will hybridize with commercially available Asian ginseng, which reduces genetic diversity and introduces disease into native ginseng stocks.

Eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) is a dramatically striking but endangered inhabitant of isolated wetlands and tamarack swamps. It is under threat from wetlands invasive species and gradual habitat loss affecting – as well as changing – the nature of wetlands in our area.