The Endangered Species Act, 2007
On June 30th 2008, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2007 came into effect, making
Ontario a North American leader in the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats.
As soon as a species is listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened, it is automatically protected from harm.
Also immediately upon listing, the general habitats of endangered and threatened species are automatically protected from damage or destruction.
The government ensures the development of longer-term protection and recovery for all species on the list. To find out more about recovery projects, please visit the Species Recovery page.
Recovery strategies identifying steps to protect and restore populations are developed within one year for endangered species and within two years for threatened species.
Species-specific habitat regulations that describe an area to be protected are developed one year after that. To find our more about habitat protection, please visit the Habitat Protection page.
Management plans are also prepared for special concern species within five years of being listed, outlining ongoing population monitoring as well as future recovery and research goals.
Species at Risk Stewardship Program
We all have an important role to play in protecting and recovering species at risk. In recognition of this, the Endangered Species Act takes a “stewardship first” approach to the protection of species and their habitats.
The Stewardship Program includes the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. The fund supports projects and activities that protect and recover species at risk. $18-million in funding is available from 2007 to 2011.
Please visit our Species at Risk Stewardship Program page for further details.
Ontarios Biodiversity Strategy.
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| Ontarios Biodiversity Strategy. |
Species at risk recovery is a key part of protecting our biodiversity. Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy includes a set of principles, goals and actions we all can take to protect and recover species at risk.
You can learn more and download a copy of Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy.
You can help
Everyone can help protect and recover species at risk and their habitats. You can:
- Visit Ontario Soil Crop.Org - Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program for 2009
- Help with a species recovery project
- Report sightings of species at risk to your local MNR office or the Natural Heritage Information Centre
- Learn about threats to our wildlife and wild places and find ways you can help to minimize these threats
- Share your knowledge of species at risk with others and encourage them to get involved projects to protect species at risk
- Learn more about Ontario’s Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP), the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) or the Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program (CFWIP)
See the What You Can Do section for more details and links to resources
By working together, we can help Ontario's species at risk.
