Species at Risk in the NWT
NWT Species at Risk
The Species At Risk (NWT) Act is anticipated to come into force in 2010. For specific details on this new legislation click here.
The Species At Risk (NWT) Act identifies, protects and recovers species at risk in the NWT. The Act applies to any wild animal, plant or other species managed by the Government of the Northwest Territories. It applies everywhere in the NWT, on both public and private lands, including private lands owned under a land claims agreement. The Species At Risk (NWT) Act establishes the mechanisms to assess species status at the territorial level -- which could differ from the national level -- identify the threats facing the species in the NWT, and identify what actions are necessary to protect, conserve and recover that species.
Responsibility for the conservation and recovery of species at risk in the NWT is shared among wildlife co-management boards established under land claim agreements, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, the Tlicho Government and the federal government. The Conference of Management Authorities established by Species At Risk (NWT) Act reflects this responsibility and provides direction, coordination and leadership with respect to the assessment, listing, conservation and recovery of species at risk in the NWT while respecting the roles and responsibilities of Management Authorities under land claims agreements.
The Species at Risk Committee (SARC) assesses the biological status of species that may be at risk in the NWT. This assessment uses the results of the NWT General Status Ranking Program and is based on traditional, community and scientific knowledge of the species. The committee includes members appointed by co-management boards and members from areas without settled land claims, who are appointed by the Minister. Members of SARC have significant traditional, community or scientific knowledge about northern species and act independently from their appointing agencies. SARC makes recommendations on the listing of species and on conservation measures and will not consider socio-economic effects in its assessment.
Federal Species at Risk
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is a national committee of experts that assesses the biological status of species and assigns each one to a category of risk based on the best available scientific, community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge. COSEWIC makes a recommendation on “risk level” to the federal government. The evaluation process is independent, open and transparent. For more information on Canadian status assessment go directly to the COSEWIC website or view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here.
Some species in the NWT are legally listed under the federal Species at Risk Act, legislation for the protection of species at risk in Canada. After receiving COSEWIC's assessment and consulting with the appropriate Minister(s) and the wildlife management boards, the Minister of Environment Canada makes a recommendation to the Governor in Council and the decision is made on whether or not to add species to the list of species at risk (Schedule 1) on the Species at Risk Act, or to refer the matter back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration. For more information on SARA go directly to the SARA Registry website.
A guide to NWT species legally listed under the federal Species at Risk Act and those assessed by COSEWIC and under consideration for listing is available: Species at Risk in the NWT - 2008 Edition.
The following NWT species have been ranked or assessed as being at some level of risk. Currently there have been no species at risk either assessed or listed under the Species At Risk (NWT) Act processes. Click on the species or column heading below for more information.
N/A = not assessed
* No species have been assessed or listed under the Species At Risk (NWT) Act.
** In 2007 COSEWIC assessed Peregrine Falcon anatum and tundrius subspecies as one sub-population complex, and recommended downlisting to a Special Concern on the federal Species at Risk Act.
*** A full list of At Risk, May be at Risk plant species can be found at the NWT General Status Ranking Program.