New Species added to the Species at Risk Act
Congratulations to the federal government for adding 11 new species to the Species at Risk Act!
Last week, the federal government added these new species to the list and they will now receive some protection under the Act. In the next steps forward, the federal government will start to work on recovery planning with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and stakeholders.
Here are the species recently added:
- Olive Clubtail
- Okanagan Efferia
- Dune Tachinid Fly
- Horned Grebe (Western population)
- Buff-breasted Sandpiper
- Baird’s Sparrow
- Batwing Vinyl Lichen
- Crumpled Tarpaper Lichen
- Peacock Vinyl Lichen
- Collared Pika
- Magnum Mantleslug
However, this is only one small step in the protection of species at risk in Canada. There is now a backlog of up to five years of 100 of species scientifically declared to be at risk that has not yet been legally listed under the Species at Risk Act. The species that are waiting to be legally listed include the Barn Swallow, Narwhal, Western Grizzly Bear and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.
How can you help? Write a letter to your local editor with our free template to raise awareness on the importance of these at risk species!