Species at Risk Recovery

Prevention is key

Our best course of action is to prevent species from becoming at risk in the first place. We can prevent the loss of species by being “good stewards” and looking after the natural world around us.

Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program Staus: Extirpated Photo by Marion Daniels, OMNR

Please visit the What You Can Do section of this website for ideas about actions you can take on your property and in your community. You can also learn more about how you can get involved on the Species at Risk Stewardship Program page.

By protecting species and working together to reverse the rate of species in decline in our province, we can ensure that future generations benefit from a healthier natural environment.

What is Recovery?

Species recovery refers to actions that prevent further loss of a species, and removes or reduce threats.  Successful recovery means that a wild species will continue to survive in its natural habitat over the long term.

When a species is listed as endangered or threatened on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) list, that species and its habitat receive protection under the Endangered Species Act 2007 (ESA). For more information on how species end up on the SARO list, please see the What Species are "at risk" in Ontario? page.    

Recovery Strategies

Once a species is listed as endangered or threatened, the ESA 2007 requires the government to outline the steps that will be taken towards species recovery. This is true of any species – plant, bird, fish or mammal. The ESA 2007 calls for the preparation of "recovery strategies" for endangered or threatened species, and "management plans" for species listed as special concern.

These plans and strategies are science-based advice to government recommending steps to recover species at risk. 

Soon, you will be able to view a list of completed recovery strategies and plans on this website.

Recovery strategies include information about:

• The species' habitat needs,
• The types of threats to the species, or ecosystem,
• Recommendations on how to protect and recover species and their habitats, 
• The area that should be considered habitat.

Timely Recovery

The Endangered Species Act 2007 sets out strict timelines for the preparation of strategies and management plans. 

• A recovery strategy must be in place for endangered species within a year of the species being listed on SARO.
• For threatened species, a recovery strategy must be created within 2 years of listing.  
• Species classified as special concern must have a management plan in place within 5 years of being listed (unless the federal government is preparing a plan).

Recovery Teams

Recovery strategies are often prepared by recovery teams. These are groups of experts that can include scientists, academic researchers, and other species experts. These teams use the best available scientific, community and Aboriginal Ecological Knowledge to recommend actions to reverse the decline of the province's wildlife.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is working with many partners on recovery projects across Ontario. Currently, about 80 recovery teams are helping to improve the status of endangered and threatened species.

Government Response

The government must respond to recovery strategies and management plans within 9 months of the preparation of these documents.  These responses will summarize the actions the government intends to take and must prioritize these actions. These responses will be available to the public.

The Government Response Statements will be posted on this website for review, as well as on the Environmental Registry.

By working together, we can help Ontario’s species at risk