How to incorporate species at risk into what you do
Whether you help to plan, manage, consult on or work directly on projects or operational activities, your role is to keep things on track. That includes knowing how the Endangered Species Act may apply to your situation, how it may influence your planning, and what steps to take to make sure your plans comply with it.
Since the act is comprehensive and covers over 200 species, figuring out how it applies may not always seem simple. Situations vary by activity and species, but also by location and season in relation to species’ breeding, migration and other life stages. That’s why your best resource is practical guidance, both from this website and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Ministry staff can help you understand how the act applies to different scenarios and develop localized strategies that make the most sense for your activity and the species.
Streamlined Approvals
The Ministry of Natural Resources is streamlining its approvals processes to help Ontarians access these services faster and more efficiently, while continuing to protect and sustainably manage Ontario's natural resources.
Learn more about how this relates to the Endangered Species Act.
Planning activities with the act in mind
Complying with the act can influence your project design, parameters and timelines. Knowing early on about species at risk that may use your site is key to effective project planning. Start by identifying which species are in your area and their status, and learn about how they could affect your plans.
Our interactive map can help you find out what’s at risk in your region. You can find accurate and updated information on this website, such as species at risk fact sheets and how species are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
What’s at risk in my area?
What's at Risk in Ontario?What's at Risk in My Area? |
What species at risk are in your area and how do they affect you?Figuring out if you need an authorization, like a permit or an agreement, starts with identifying which protected species are in your area. |
Understanding permits and other authorizations
How do I know if I need a permit?
Different activities and locations can trigger the need for different permits. Every situation and site is unique, which is why we have permits to address many scenarios. In some cases, your activity may not require a permit but it may still be subject to other kinds of authorizations or regulations. It depends on whether your plans might have an adverse effect on a protected species or its habitat, and what you can do to avoid or reduce that impact.
Find out if you need a permit
Learn more about the different kinds of permits and other authorizations
How Authorizations Work
Permits and other authorizations
Overview of Overall Benefit permit type
Avoidance
Other Authorizations
All About Authorizations
ESA Permit Tracker
Use this tool to find out the status of permit and agreement applications and issued permits and agreements.
Permits and other authorizations
Some activities that affect species at risk or their habitats may require a specific type of permit or other forms of authorization.
Contact your local ministry office
Often the best source of local information on species at risk is your nearest ministry office. Call with your questions or concerns.
