Sage-grouse recovery strategy: information for agricultural producers

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Successful recovery of the Sage-Grouse requires involvement of agricultural producers, local stakeholders and governments at all levels. For its part, the Government of Canada starts with developing a Recovery Strategy. The Recovery Strategy is a planning document that describes current scientific knowledge on threats to species and identifies critical habitat needed for the survival and recovery of the Sage-Grouse. The Recovery Strategy also identifies measures that could be taken to help stop the decline of Sage-Grouse. Voluntary stewardship actions by agricultural producers are important to Sage-Grouse recovery, and assistance is available from the Government of Canada to support activities recommended in the Recovery Strategy.

The Recovery Strategy for the Greater Sage-Grouse in Canada:

  • The Recovery Strategy is a planning document that makes general recommendations on what should be done to stop the decline of this species in Canada and to reach the long-term population objective. 
  • The Recovery Strategy describes what should be done if Sage-Grouse are to recover in Canada but does not regulate or prohibit activities. This planning document is not a regulation, it contains no legal prohibitions, and it is not legally enforceable.
  • The Recovery Strategy also outlines a wide variety of factors (both natural and human-associated, imminent and long-term) in the Sage-Grouse’s environment that likely need to be managed to allow the species to reach  the long-term population objective.
  • This document identifies the habitat (on provincial and federal Crown land and private land) that is critical for the species to reach the long-term population objective.
  • The Recovery Strategy informs the supported voluntary stewardship actions that will be the primary effort  to achieve survival and recovery of Sage-Grouse in Canada. Assistance is available to support specific voluntary stewardship activities.

The Recovery Strategy describes what should be done if Sage-Grouse are to recover in Canada but does not regulate or prohibit activities.

 

Emergency Protection Order or Recovery Strategy? Comparison Table
  Emergency protection Order Recovery Strategy
Is it enforceable? Yes No
How much habitat is included? 1672 km2 2812 km2
Is private land included? No Yes
What activities are addressed? Activities that may adversely affect the species and the habitat of the species General description of the research and management activities needed to meet population objectives
Is grazing included? No Yes. Long-term overgrazing is listed as a potential factor in certain locations within Sage-Grouse habitat.
Are there any plans to change the Emergency Protection Order or the Recovery Strategy? No. There are no plans to expand the scope of the Emergency Protection Order. An amendment would be required to change the Emergency Protection Order. Yes. Recovery strategies are reviewed every five years.
Are funds available to assist in making my fences Sage-Grouse friendly and for other stewardship actions? Yes Yes
photo of sage grouse, © Environment Canada

 

 

Photo: © Environment Canada

 

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