Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada and National Historic Sites administered by Parks Canada on PEI: Multi-species action plan 2025

Species at Risk Act
Action Plan Series
2025

On this page

Preface

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Executive summary
• 1. Context
  • 1.1 Parks Canada Multi-species Action Planning
  • 1.2 Prince Edward Island National Park and National Historic Sites administered by Parks Canada on PEI
  • 1.3 Scope of the action plan
    • 1.3.1. Geographic scope
    • 1.3.2. Species scope
• 2. Site-based population and distribution objectives
• 3. Conservation and recovery measures
  • 3.1 Conservation and recovery measure approaches
  • 3.2 Classification of measures
• 4. Critical habitat
  • 4.1 Proposed measures to protect critical habitat
• 5. Evaluation of socio-economic costs and benefits
  • 5.1 Costs
  • 5.2 Benefits
• 6. Measuring progress
• 7. References
• Appendix A: Species information, objectives and monitoring plans for species at risk in PEINP
• Appendix B: Conservation and recovery measures that will be implemented
• Appendix C: Other conservation and recovery measures that will be implemented if partnerships or additional resources become available

Preface

The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996)^{Footnote 2} agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. The Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) was enacted to protect wildlife species at risk in Canada and to complement other legislation in conserving Canada’s biodiversity. Today, SARA is a key contributor to achieving Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy – Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada, which charts a path for how Canada will implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Under SARA, the federal competent ministers are responsible for the preparation of action plans for species listed as Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened for which recovery has been deemed feasible. They are also required to report on progress five years after the publication of action plans on the Species at Risk Public Registry. Under SARA, action plans provide the detailed recovery planning that supports the strategic direction set out in recovery strategies. They outline what needs to be done to achieve the population and distribution objectives identified in recovery strategies, including the measures to be taken to address the threats and monitor the recovery of the species, as well as the proposed measures to protect critical habitat that has been identified for the species. Action plans also include an evaluation of the socio-economic costs of the plan and the benefits to be derived from its implementation. Action plans are considered one in a series of documents that are linked and should be taken into consideration together, including COSEWIC status reports, recovery strategies, and other action plans produced for the species.

The Minister responsible for Parks Canada is the competent minister under SARA for species found in Prince Edward Island National Park (PEINP) and National Historic Sites administered by Parks Canada on PEI and has prepared this action plan to implement recovery strategies that apply to the park and historic sites as per section 47 of SARA. It has been prepared in full collaboration with the two Mi’kmaq First Nations of PEI, Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation, and in cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island as per section 48(1) of SARA.

Success in the recovery of these species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies and will not be achieved by Parks Canada or any other jurisdiction alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this action plan for the benefit of multiple species and Canadian society as a whole. Implementation of this action plan is subject to appropr­­iations, priorities, and budgetary constraints of Parks Canada and participating jurisdictions and organizations.

Acknowledgments

Parks Canada would like to acknowledge those who have contributed to the development of this action plan.

We acknowledge that the land upon which Prince Edward Island National Park and National Historic Sites stand is unceded Mi’kmaq territory. Epekwitk (PEI), Mi’kma’ki, is covered by the historic Treaties of Peace and Friendship. We acknowledge these traditional lands were used and continue to be used for ceremony and traditional teachings. We pay our respect to the Epekwinewaq Mi’kmaq People who have occupied this island for over 12,000 years; past, present, and future.

This plan endeavors to include Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaw Knowledge, culturally significant species, and community perspectives in a meaningful way. The development of this Multi-Species Action Plan was carried out in full collaboration with the Mi’kmaq First Nations of PEI, Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation. The spirit of this partnership will continue past the development of this action plan and will be integral to the ongoing work carried out on these lands.

Throughout this planning process there have been many key partners whose knowledge has contributed greatly to our understanding of species at risk and their habitats. We would like to thank Island Nature Trust for co-hosting the planning workshops and for continued collaboration on shared conservation initiatives on PEI. We would like to acknowledge all of those who devoted time to attend workshops and contribute knowledge to our planning sessions and implementation, including representatives from the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, PEI Watershed Alliance, the Province of PEI, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of New Brunswick, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, Birds Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, our neighbouring Parks Canada Field Units in the Atlantic Region, and various Recovery Teams.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the people who share our ecosystems. To the surrounding landowners, yearly visitors to the park, and to anyone who feels a sense of home on these lands, your support and appreciation of this landscape is essential to the continued protection of the species who also call this land home.

Wela’lin, Merci, Thank You

Executive summary

This Multi-species Action Plan for Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada and National Historic Sites Administered by Parks Canada on PEI updates and replaces content in the 2016 action plan for the sites ^{Footnote 3}. It applies to lands and waters occurring within the boundaries of Prince Edward Island National Park (PEINP), and National Historic Sites administered by Parks Canada on PEI (hereafter referred to as National Historic Sites or NHSs), as well as program lands^{Footnote 4} administered by Parks Canada. The plan identifies measures to conserve or recover SARA-listed species, species of conservation concern, and species of cultural significance that regularly occur^{Footnote 5} in PEINP and NHSs and fulfills SARA section 47 requirements for those species that require an action plan. Considerations related to landscape-scale conservation, Indigenous conservation and species of cultural significance, climate-smart conservation, adaptive management, active management, filling knowledge gaps, outreach and education were central themes in the development of this action plan.

40 species that regularly occur at PEINP and NHSs are addressed in this action plan: 19 SARA-listed species and ten additional species of conservation concern (e.g., COSEWIC assessed but not SARA-listed, provincially listed). Eleven of the SARA-listed species are Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened (and require an action plan) and eight are Special Concern. Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq partners identified 14 culturally significant species for inclusion, some of which are SARA listed or included under the category of species of conservation concern. Including non-SARA-listed species of conservation concern and species of cultural importance provides a comprehensive plan for species conservation and recovery at the site.

7 site-based population and distribution objectives are identified in this plan for five species and represent the sites’ contribution to range-wide objectives for the species as identified in SARA recovery strategies and management plans. Measuring progress towards achieving site-based objectives over time will determine the ecological impacts of implementing the action plan.

Conservation and recovery measures were developed to mitigate the main threats^{Footnote 6} to the species within the park as well as to address knowledge gaps. The five most common threats addressed within this action plan are:

54 conservation and recovery measures are identified as commitments in this action plan. An additional 42 measures will be implemented if resources and/or partnerships become available to support the work. The number of committed measures and their action categorizations ^{Footnote 7} are presented below:

No new critical habitat is identified in this action plan. Recovery measures to protect existing critical habitat identified for species addressed in this plan are described.

The financial cost to implement this MSAP will be borne by Parks Canada, and through partnerships if resources become available. The potential negative impacts of implementing this plan are expected to be minimal, with main impacts related to area closures and restrictions to visitor access, and updated terms of reference to agricultural lease agreements affecting practices on farmed lands. Where possible mitigations have been built into this plan to minimize cost impacts. Benefits of this action plan include the targeted recovery of species at risk and an overall positive impact on biodiversity, contributing to federal and global sustainability goals, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Benefits also include: increased opportunities for the public to engage with species conservation; support for the shared research goals of our partner organizations; and benefits to First Nations communities Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations, Parks Canada, and all Canadians through relationships established during the planning process.

Progress toward implementation of this action plan and meeting the objectives set within will be assessed annually and a report summarizing the results will be published on the Species at Risk Public Registry after five years, as per section 55 of SARA.

Alsusitey Mawo’taqn

Ula Kaqi’similamu’k mimajik koqoey ketu’ tla’tu’tij maliaptasital Epekwitkewey National Park of Canada aq wije’l National Historic Sites kejikawe’l kinua’taqnn aq ika’tasik piluey ula 2016 ketu’ tla’taqiti’tipnik wjit ula maqamikal^{Footnote 8}. Elukwek wjit ula maqamikal aq samqwann etekl Epekwitkewey National Park (PEINP), aq wije’l National Historic Sites (NHS), aq elt maqamikal maliaptmi’titl Parks Canada. Ula ta’n ketu’ tla’taqiti’tij ewikasik ta’n tl-klo’ttaqq kisna apaja’tutaqq SARA –ewikasikl klo’tasin, aq waisisk, nme’jik, aq piluey koqoey, aq waisisk ta’n sa’q e’wa’tiji L’nu’k aq kaqi’sk eykik^{Footnote 9} PEINP aq wije’l NHS aq majulkwatkl SARA section 47 ta’n nuta’ql wjit waisisk aq ktik koqoey ta’n nuta’q maliaptasin. Ankite’tasikl telqamikekl telki’kl klo’tasin, L’nuey tel kweso’tekemk aq waisisk aq ktik koqoey nikwek L’nu’k kepmite’tmi’tij, ta’n telikiskikl kaqi’sipunqik tetpaqi klo’tasin, pila’tu telmaliaptekemk, siaw nujo’tekemk, kinua’taqn ika’tu, aq tewa’tumk aq kina’masuti na miawtekipnn ula eltasikek ta’n tla’taqititen.

Newisga'q waisisk aq ktik koqoey nikwek kaqi’sk nemitasijik aq nemitasikl PEINP aq wije’l NHS na ewi’tasikl ula ketu’ tla’taqiti’tij: 21 SARA-ewikasijik tujiw app ukumuljin ankua’tasiji klo’tasinew (e.g. COSEWIC ankamujik katu mu SARA-ewikasikik, Epekwitk wikasinew). Newtisk’aq jel ta’pu SARA-ewikasijik, na kaqi ksika’titkik, nenestawinoqsijik, kisna nesanoqsijik(aq nuta’q na’tala’taqitinew) aq pesqunatek te’sijik maw sespete’tasijik L’nu’k toqlukutie’k ewi’ta’tipni 15 newte’ telamuksijik ta’n telo’lti’tij L’nu’k na mekite’tasijik, eykik SARAiktuk ewikasijik kisna wiaqkimujik ta’nik nuta’q klo’tasinew. Wiaqiw ta’n mu SARAiktuk ewikasi’k wjit nuta’qtn sespete’tasinew aq ta’n tekenik wjit telo’ltimk maw nuta’q iknmuksi’kw pikwelk ta’n tla’taqititen siaw klo’tasinew aq apaja’tasin ula tett.

L’uiknek maqamikal ta’n te’si’tij mimajuinu’k aq ne’nisitpi’ketuten na ewi’tasikl ula ketu’ lukwatmi’tij wjit te’sijik piluamuksultijik aq nemitasik ula teli apoqnmuekl pikwelkl ketu’ tla’taqiti’titl wjit mimajultikl nenasin ta’n SARA tli apaja’tutal aq tli maliaptital. Nikatmu’k ta’n te’sik kisa’tasik ta’n tel mnuekeykip na nmituten klapis ta’n maqamikal aq samqwan telitpiaql ke’sk pemi e’wmu’k ta’n ketu’ tla’taqiti’kip

Weli anko’tmik aq apaja’tekemk na kisite’tasikipnn na’qji’jka’tun nsanoqnikl^{Footnote 10} wjit waisisk aq ktik koqoey mimajik parkiktuk aq elt ankaptmnew kjijitaqn ta’n nuta’q. Newkl nsanoqnikl maliaptiten ula ta’n tla’taqititen na:

Naniska’q jel ne’w te’sikl anko’tmikewe’l aq apaja’tumkewe’l e’wasikl wjit ula maliaptasitew tla’taqititen. Ankua’tasital 42 te’sikl tla’tasital l’miaq wtapsuti’l aq/kisna mawlukutimkik i’mu’tij apoqnmatmnew ula lukwaqn. Na te’sikl etekl ketu’ tla’tu’titl aq ta’n tel pilu’ lukutiten ewikasik pkewe’k^{Footnote 11}:

Mu ewi’tasinuk maqamikew ta’n maw nuta’q waisisk aq ktik koqoey ta’n nikwek kisna mimajik ula ta’n ketu’ tla’taqiti’tij. Apaja’tumk tellukutimk klo’tmnenew ula maqamikal maw nuta’q klo’tasin ewi’tasik ta’n ketu’ tl-lukwemk.

Ta’n tlawtitew e’wasin ula MSAP na apankittew Parks Canada aq elt ta’n toqi lukuti’tiji ta’n tujiw wtapsuti’l ika’q. Ta’n maw klu’lkital tla’sital majulkwatmu’kw ta’n ketu’ tli maliaptmi’tij na ma pikwelknukl, ta’n mawi we’tuo’tten na ilta’sik koqoey naqa’luj mittukewinu’k, aq pile’l ewikasikl ta’n koqoey asite’tasitew ika’taqu’tite’wk keta’matmi’tip ajkna’tutew ika’taqumk maqamikal. Ta’n tett na’qji’jka’tumk wiaqa’tasik ula lukwaqniktuk klaman aji nisawtitew. Wlapetmuaqnn ula lukwaqn wiaqa’tasik ta’n tekenik waisisk aq ktik koqoey nikwek aq mimajik siawi apaja’sin aq msit koqoey kelu’lk wjian milamu’k koqoey mimajin, apoqnmuek kaplnu’lewiktuk aq wsitqamu’k mimaju’nuek siawian. Wlapetmuaqnn wiaqtekl atelkl kis tla’taqitinew mimajuinu’k maliaptasinew wsitqamu’kewe’k klo’tasinew, apoqnmasuti wjit newte’ ilpanuijkatmu’kl kwejitla’taqiti’kl ula toqlukutiekl lukwaqnl; Wlapetmikewe’l wjit L’nu Utann, Parks Canada, aq msit Canadianaq e’wasik tela’matultimkewe’l kisite’tasikipnn pem kiskaja’tu’kek ula tla’taqitinen.

Ta’n teli aji wla’sik ula tela’tumk lukwaqn aq kisa’tu’kw ta’n tel mnuekeykip na ankaptasitew ne’wt newtipunqik aq wikasitew Species at Risk Public Registryiktuk nanipunqikl pemiaq ta’n teluekip Section 55 SARA.

1. Context

This Multi-species Action Plan for Prince Edward Island National Park and National Historic Sites Administered by Parks Canada on PEI updates and replaces content in the 2016 action plan (Parks Canada 2016). Under Section 52 of the Species at Risk Act, the competent minister may amend an action plan at any time. An amendment is being undertaken now to update species information and integrate knowledge and new information gained during implementation of the 2016 action plan. The five-year implementation report for the 2016 MSAP is available on the Species at Risk Public Registry^{Footnote 12}.

1.1 Parks Canada Multi-species Action Planning

Parks Canada (PC) takes a multi-species, site-based approach to action planning that identifies and prioritizes conservation and recovery measures for a suite of species at one or more Parks Canada sites. This approach enables Parks Canada to consider the needs of multiple species and identify and prioritize measures that can be implemented at the site(s) to provide the greatest contributions to species conservation and recovery.

Parks Canada multi-species action plans focus on lands and waters under Parks Canada’s administration; however, Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq First Nations, neighbouring jurisdictions, partners, stakeholders, and species and subject-matter experts are engaged throughout development and implementation of the plans. This plan was prepared in full collaboration with the Mi’kmaq First Nations of PEI, Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation. This collaborative approach facilitates species conservation and recovery at a landscape-scale.

The action planning process considers a suite of species that occur regularly at the sites, including species at risk listed in Schedule 1 of SARA, species assessed by COSEWIC and under consideration for addition to Schedule 1 of SARA, provincially listed species, and other species of interest, including those of cultural importance. Including species that don’t legally require a SARA action plan enables Parks Canada to take a holistic approach and develop a comprehensive plan for species conservation and recovery at the sites.

In many cases, federal and provincial recovery strategies and plans, management plans, and action plans have been prepared for the species included in this action plan. Along with COSEWIC status assessments, those documents provide guidance for the recovery of individual species, including the identification of threats, recovery objectives, strategic direction to achieve objectives, and critical habitat. This action plan was developed and will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with those recovery documents and should be viewed as part of this body of linked strategies and plans.

Parks Canada’s approach to multi-species action planning aligns with the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service, 2018). It considers priorities of landscape-scale conservation, ecological connectivity, climate-smart conservation, Indigenous conservation, and cultural species. In addition, Parks Canada is increasingly using the adaptive management framework Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (i.e., Conservation Standards) to support and inform the action planning process.

Implementation of the conservation and recovery measures identified in these action plans is often integrated into the existing framework of Parks Canada conservation programs. Ecological integrity is a cornerstone of Parks Canada’s mandate to protect and present significant examples of Canada’s natural heritage. It is the first priority in the management of Canada’s National Parks. In addition to the protections provided under SARA, species at risk, their residences, and their habitat in Parks Canada places are often protected under additional federal acts and regulations, including but not limited to the Migratory Birds Convention Act and regulations, Fisheries Act, Canada National Parks Act, and the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act.

1.2 Prince Edward Island National Park and National Historic Sites Administered by Parks Canada on PEI

Prince Edward Island National Park (hereafter PEINP or the park) was established in 1937 and protects approximately 3880.85 ha of coastal, freshwater, forest, and wetland ecosystems along Prince Edward Island’s north coast, including gazette and program lands (Figure 1). PEINP administers 1619.3 ha of program lands which have been acquired opportunistically since the 1950’s as a strategy to buffer the park against intensive land development and loss of coastal lands due to the dynamic nature of the coast and natural processes. The dominant land uses in the surrounding region on the island are agriculture, tourism, forestry, as well as commercial fishing and aquaculture along the large coastal bays. The park is located within the Atlantic Migratory Flyway, serving as a stopover for numerous species that move between their wintering and breeding grounds annually.

The park was established to protect representative examples of the Appalachian-Maritime Plain natural region. It is characterized by low-lying lands with rich estuaries, Wabanaki-Acadian forests, barrier islands, sand dunes, and sandstone cliffs. Historically, forests on Prince Edward Island (PEI) were dominated by American Beech, Yellow Birch, Sugar Maple, Red and Black Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, and White Pine. The island’s original forests have long since been cleared by settlers for lumber and related wood products, and to make way for agriculture. As a result, contemporary forests, which cover 38% of the park, are largely dominated by mature, early-successional White Spruce, Balsam Fir, and White Birch forests, as well as small pockets of Black Spruce bogs on low, poorly drained flats, and krummholz forest along exposed coastal locations. The coastal ecosystem comprises 27% of the park, and the wetland and freshwater ecosystems account for 3% and 9% respectively. Unclassified land, which includes developed lands, park infrastructure, agriculture land, and undeveloped land occupy the remaining land area (23%).

Program lands administered by Parks Canada occur proximate to the gazetted park boundary. The largest such area is found in Cavendish, with just over 986 ha, 401.8 ha of which are program lands operated under licensed agricultural lease agreements. Smaller parcels of acquired properties have been exposed to natural restoration and managed in a manner similar to lands within the park itself. The central sector (Brackley-Dalvay) contains 348 ha of program lands. In 1998, the park was expanded to include a portion of the Greenwich Peninsula in eastern PEI, with additional properties acquired in this area in the years since. Greenwich contains 296 ha of program lands. The Greenwich landscape is comprised primarily of a sandspit peninsula, containing the only parabolic dune system and associated Gegenwälle^{Footnote 13} represented in the park. This phenomenon is very rare in North America. This land also contains forest of a similar composition to that found elsewhere in the park, and freshwater ponds.

Included within the scope of PEINP is Green Gables Heritage Place (GGHP), located in the Cavendish Resort Municipality. GGHP is a 6.5 ha parcel of land composed primarily of forest, with freshwater and wetland components, and two trail systems throughout. It is considered a top tourism attraction on PEI, and as such sees high annual visitation. Additionally, PEI Field Unit administers four National Historic Sites that fall within the scope of this plan: Ardgowan National Historic Site and Province House National Historic Site located in the province’s capital city, Charlottetown; Dalvay-by-the-Sea, located in the central region of PEINP; and Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst, south of Charlottetown Harbour and adjacent Rocky Point Reserve, Abegweit First Nation. All sites are accessible to the public and contain walking paths or trail systems. Ecotype classifications within all NHSs is primarily composed of forest (51%) and non-eco types (e.g. developed land or infrastructure); Skmaqn contains small portions of freshwater and wetland. Monitoring conducted at these sites has confirmed the presence of species of conservation concern or their associated habitat considered within the scope of this plan.

PEINP land exists within the traditional, unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq First Nations. There are two Mi’kmaq First Nations on PEI, Lennox Island First Nation and Abegweit First Nation, incorporated as the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils. The Epekwitk Assembly of Councils is the joint forum that oversees and governs organizations that act in the shared interest of Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation. Bringing together the Band Councils of Epekwitk’s First Nations communities, the Assembly currently administers two organizations that are provincial in scope: L’nuey and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI. Many shared interests exist between the First Nations and the park, including protection of natural and cultural resources, and the desire to build appreciation of these resources and to share this knowledge. Parks Canada-administered land serves as an area for traditional use, harvesting, and ceremony by the Mi’kmaq people. This action plan was developed in full collaboration with both First Nations.

1.3 Scope of the action plan

Although not included in the previous action plan, National Historic Sites Ardgowan, Dalvay by the Sea, Province House, and Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst are included in this plan, as well as Green Gables Heritage Place. This plan contains an additional 413 ha of land that has been acquired by PEINP since the development of the first MSAP.

1.3.1. Geographic scope

The geographic scope of this action plan includes all Parks Canada-administered lands and waters within PEI (Figure 1). The scope also includes all lands and waters within the boundaries of the National Historic Sites that are administered by Parks Canada as federal properties under the authority of the Federal Real Property and Federal Immovables Act. This MSAP has been written specifically for PEINP and NHSs to fulfill Parks Canada’s legal responsibilities, and to respond to specific threats, legislation, and management priorities at those sites, which may differ in areas outside the sites.

This plan was developed through consideration of the regional context and may be implemented more broadly than land administered by Parks Canada through collaboration with partners. PEINP occupies only a narrow strip of land on the north shore of Prince Edward Island and the species at risk found here do not exist exclusively within these boundaries, nor do the threats or pressures they face. Therefore, the development of this plan considered the greater PEINP ecosystem, as delineated by the full watershed boundaries which fall at least partially within PEINP.

It should be noted that most of the conservation and recovery measures taking place in the greater PEI landscape (outside of PEINP and NHSs) will be conducted by partners.

1.3.2. Species scope

This action plan addresses a total of 40 species. This includes 19 SARA-listed species plus 10 species of conservation concern that regularly occur in PEINP and NHSs (Table 1). Eleven SARA-listed species are Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened species (for which an action plan is required under s.47 of SARA) and eight are SARA-listed Special Concern species. Ten additional non-Schedule 1 species that are of conservation concern have been included as they are provincially rare or endemic. Fourteen culturally significant species have been identified for inclusion by the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq community, three of which are also SARA listed or species of conservation concern. Additional species of conservation concern known to be provincially rare, and marine species which occur outside of lands administered by Parks Canada are addressed by recovery measures of this plan (Appendix B & C), though not explicitly listed in the species scope. The species addressed in this plan were chosen based on the following criteria: 1) the level of influence Parks Canada and partners could have on recovery and helping to achieve population and distribution objectives; 2) the ability of the species to represent the needs of other species at risk; 3) the need for regional perspectives and desire to test existing approaches to species conservation to inform effectiveness; 4) the identification for inclusion of culturally significant species by Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations. Note that over the course of implementation of this action plan, some species’ COSEWIC assessment or SARA status may change.

2. Site-based population and distribution objectives

The potential for Parks Canada to undertake direct management action at the site that will measurably contribute to the recovery of each species was assessed. Seven site-specific population and distribution objectives were developed for five species (Appendix A). These objectives identify the contribution that conservation and recovery measures implemented by the site or in collaboration with partners can make towards achieving the national objectives identified in SARA recovery strategies and management plans.

Monitoring progress towards achieving the site-based objectives over time will help determine whether implementation of the conservation and recovery measures (identified in Appendix B) is having the desired influence on species recovery.

For many species addressed in this action plan, recovery cannot be measurably influenced by management actions implemented by the site for various reasons, including: 1) The site makes up a small portion of the species’ range in Canada so that the impact of management actions at the site cannot be measured (e.g., in some cases we may only see transient occurrences of these species, in other cases PEINP, as a small geographic region, does not account for a significant component of the species required habitat); 2) There are no or few known threats acting in the site (e.g., the primary threat for many migratory shorebirds or forest bird species addressed in this plan is a loss of overwintering habitat outside of the site). When there is little opportunity for direct management action at the site to measurably contribute to the recovery of a species, site-specific recovery objectives are not appropriate and conservation measures may be limited to protection measures in place under the Canada National Parks Act, the Impact Assessment Act, the Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act and SARA, as well as through indirect threat mitigations such as education/outreach, habitat maintenance, and addressing knowledge gaps through inventory, research and monitoring.

3. Conservation and recovery measures

Conservation and recovery measures aimed at addressing threats to the species at the site and making progress towards achieving site-based population and distribution objectives were identified and prioritized. The prioritization process primarily considered ecological effectiveness, but also considered opportunities for landscape-scale conservation, ecological connectivity, climate-smart conservation, Indigenous conservation and cultural species, strengthened partnerships, and opportunities for visitor experience and increased awareness through education and outreach. Prioritization also considered budgetary opportunities and constraints. Wherever possible, PC is taking an ecosystem approach, prioritizing measures that benefit multiple species to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of species protection and recovery.

In total, 54 conservation and recovery measures are identified for implementation by PC and project partners in PEINP and NHSs (Appendix B). An additional 42 measures will be encouraged through partnerships or when additional resources become available (Appendix C). Each measure is associated with one or more identified threats. The five main threats addressed by measures in this action plan are: problematic native plants and animals; annual and perennial non-timber crops; recreational activities; invasive non-native plants and animals; and knowledge gaps. Measures that do not directly address a threat have been included to address identified knowledge gaps. Each measure is also associated with a desired outcome and the anticipated timeline for achieving the desired outcome. Desired outcomes are designed to be quantifiable and achievable over the implementation period of this plan.

3.1 Conservation and recovery measure approaches

The identification of conservation and recovery measures considered opportunities to integrate the following approaches: Indigenous conservation and cultural species, landscape-scale conservation, adaptive management (i.e., Conservation Standards), active management, climate-smart conservation, filling knowledge gaps, and outreach and education.

Indigenous Conservation and Cultural Species: To support Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq conservation objectives, Parks Canada has worked in full collaboration with both Mi’kmaq First Nations of Prince Edward Island – Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation – in the development of this action plan. The foundation of this approach is built upon first establishing meaningful relationships and trust within the community through joint gatherings, community visits, and shared learning. This standard for collaboration required a collective investment of time and capacity to build a sustainable structure for collaborative planning and implementation. The resulting partnership has proved invaluable and will continue beyond the development of this plan.

Conservation strategies have been developed to compliment the goals of collaborators and will be shared with partners to support collective conservation outcomes. Over the course of this collaboration, partners familiarized themselves with ecosystems and species on their collective lands of influence and carried out joint monitoring field work to provide a broader perspective on actions to be identified in the MSAP. In working with Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations partners, project leads collaboratively developed measures for species conservation and recovery in PEINP that will highlight species of cultural significance, and jointly planned sustainable conservation actions for these species that emphasize protection of traditional knowledge. This partnership endeavoured to build capacity for community-based conservation planning and implementation within community, while also informing conservation work on lands administered by Parks Canada though both traditional knowledge and western science. Moving forward, PEINP will endeavour to adopt Etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing) and weave the concept of Netukulimk (access and use of resources without jeopardizing the integrity, diversity, or productivity of the environment through practices of respect, responsibility, relationship, and reciprocity) into the implementation of its work.

Adaptive Management Frameworks: The Conservation Standards^{Footnote 14} (CS) are a set of guidelines that help guide and standardize conservation efforts and the design and adaptive management of conservation projects (Conservation Measures Partnership, 2020). To organize information and reduce the duplication of efforts across the region, Parks Canada used an abbreviated CS process to engage project partners in planning for the multi-species action plan. The abbreviated CS process enabled PEINP to engage more partners through a series of workshops that were developed to be inclusive – regardless of participant’s background knowledge of CS and/or species at risk – and to reduce time commitments from partners, resulting in greater participation. Workshops focused on outcomes such as gathering regional perspectives related to species at risk conservation, developing assessments and measures for the health of species at risk, creating new strategies for supporting species at risk recovery and meeting population and distribution objectives, and developing a better understanding of the effectiveness of current actions and strategies for species recovery.

PEINP, alongside Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations collaborators, co-hosted workshops with local non-government organization Island Nature Trust (INT), to support the development of complimentary strategies/actions for INT’s Community Nominated Priority Place (CNPP) initiative. Joint planning with INT and other regional partners will help advance landscape-scale conservation efforts across the greater Prince Edward Island landscape. Further, the CS process enabled content to be shared through initiatives such as the Forested Landscape Priority Place (FLPP) and the Atlantic Canada Bank Swallow Working Group (Birds Canada), supporting collaboration across the region.

Landscape-Scale Conservation: PEINP is just one piece of the broader provincial landscape, and as such, it was important that the actions within this plan consider outcomes beyond the park boundary. Applying a landscape-scale approach involved partnerships with local and regional groups in the planning and knowledge gathering phase of this plan. Through our initial workshops, several opportunities were identified between partner organizations, including Abegweit First Nation, Lennox Island First Nations, Island Nature Trust (INT), Nature Conservancy of Canada, the PEI Watershed Alliance, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, the Canadian Wildlife Service (Atlantic Region), the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI, and the Provincial Government of PEI through the Forested Landscape Priority Place Project. Strengthening our relationship with these groups allows us to work together to implement strategies at a provincial scale to improve the outcomes for species at risk recovery on PEI.

There is a clear link to landscape-scale partnership throughout this action plan both in its planning and implementation. Actions outlined in partner projects, such as the FLPP and CNPP, focus on similar habitats and species as addressed in this plan. This includes work with the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq Indigenous-led Black Ash conservation project to conserve and plant Black Ash across PEI; work with INT to promote sustainable beach recreation and protect critical Piping Plover nest sites outside of lands administered by Parks Canada; work with CNPP to complete Bank Swallow landscape-scale habitat mapping for all of PEI; and work with FLPP to share and promote forest management outreach for healthy species at risk forested habitat.

At a regional scale, PEINP is working collaboratively with groups such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and Parks Canada sites in the Atlantic region to contribute data to regional research priorities. Work specifically with Kouchibouguac National Park (KNP) provides the opportunity to develop a standardized approach to monitoring and management of shared ecosystems and species at risk. As a sister park to PEINP, KNP shares many species and ecosystems in common, and experiences many of the same threats to these components as PEINP. As such, adopting a standardized protocol for monitoring like species and habitats could prove mutually beneficial and allow for consistent assessment across the region.

Active Management: Active management is a course of action directed toward maintaining or changing the ecological condition to achieve specific objectives. Many measures contributing to the recovery of species at risk within PEINP focus on protecting existing habitat and mitigating known threats to species. This will be largely achieved by existing methodologies, resources, regulations and policies, and/or by ensuring protection measures of critical habitat under the Species at Risk Act. These efforts are commensurate with the amount of habitat available for many species at risk within PEINP and NHSs, as their size is often modest when viewed on a regional or national scale. However, for species such as Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster, Beach Pinweed, or Piping Plover, the park’s habitat contributes significantly to regional populations. It is therefore imperative that active management such as law enforcement and compliance team patrols, area closures, and in the case of Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster, transplants for site colonization and naturalization, be used to maintain or improve favorable conditions for the species in the landscape.

Following the implementation of the MSAP, Parks Canada monitors, evaluates and, as necessary, adapts measures taken to achieve species survival or recovery. PEINP will use the abbreviated CS process to incorporate components of adaptive management in the implementation of the MSAP. Using adaptive management, PEINP and partners will evaluate and adjust actions/strategies throughout the MSAP implementation to improve species at risk conservation in real time. The species-directed measures outlined in this plan will in turn contribute to maintaining and improving the ecological integrity of PEINP by improving the conservation status of native species and their habitat. Species at risk information will be integrated into the park’s comprehensive visitor experience, prevention and compliance, and education and outreach programs, helping to improve awareness, appreciation, and support for recovery efforts in the park and beyond.

Climate-smart Conservation: In order to reflect current and future climate-related threats to species at risk conservation, this amendment was undertaken using a climate change lens. This work involved researching potential future climate conditions within the defined geographic scope, reviewing literature to infer the adaptive capacity of focal species, and identifying a spectrum of possible adaptation options including both active management and monitoring strategies. The process of identifying adaptation options was informed by projected future climate scenarios (Bush & Lemmen, 2019) and the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework (Schuurman et al., 2020); a framework designed to enable natural resource managers to consider a diverse range of forward-looking adaptation strategies. As PEINP is a low-lying, coastal landscape, it is especially vulnerable to climate change impacts such as an accelerating rate of coastal erosion, sea-level rise and storm surge, and an increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events (Parks Canada Agency, 2023). This has been observed in recent years during post-tropical storms Dorian (2019) and Fiona (2022) where PEINP experienced unprecedented levels of coastal erosion and forest windthrow. Further, as many of the species included in this action plan inhabit the coastal ecosystem, it is important to consider the influence climate change will have on Parks Canada’s ability to achieve population and distribution objectives for species at risk, and what current and new pressures species and ecosystems face due to anticipated climate change threats.

All actions included in this plan were classified using the RAD framework. This exercise was important to ensure the strategies selected were diverse in their approach, (i.e. not all actions attempt to resist change), allowing PEINP to identify a broad range of adaptation options. In fitting with Climate-Smart conservation principles, these strategies embrace adaptive management and will be reassessed during implementation based on evidence gathered. Recognizing that climate change impacts are inevitable and already taking place, PEINP will focus efforts on increased monitoring plans to better understand these impacts on species, and to inform long-term adaptation approaches and potential threat mitigation.

Filling knowledge gaps: This plan has been updated to include seven additional species at risk, seven species of conservation concern, and 14 culturally significant species identified for inclusion through the collaborative planning processes with Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation partners. The actions included in this plan will contribute to research and monitoring that will help address knowledge gaps for these species and associated habitats. These knowledge gaps have been identified in the species’ recovery documents, through ongoing Park monitoring and implementation of the 2016 MSAP, and by partners during the initial planning workshops. Primary knowledge gaps addressed by this plan include habitat availability and use; refined population sampling strategies; and lesser understood threats, such as prey availability, disease/pathogen prevalence, pollutants, and climate change.

Identifying and mapping habitat is required to inform management decisions and recovery actions for several species. This includes work to better understand Bank Swallow critical habitat within the park; research to understand habitat selection for bat hibernacula and maternity roosts in the park; and better understanding of habitat selection by breeding Piping Plover. Comprehensive species occurrence mapping for all extant species and mapping/modelling of potential future habitat to facilitate species translocation will also be explored.

A knowledge gap identified throughout the planning process and in many recovery strategies involves how species will be impacted by predicted climate change scenarios. By approaching this plan with a climate change lens, PEINP will attempt to learn how the effects of climate change will impact the ability to achieve population and distribution objectives, and what current and future pressures species and ecosystems face due to anticipated climate change threats. This is a focal point for many of the species at risk within the coastal ecosystem due to its dynamic and vulnerable habitat. Additionally, threats that may be limiting factors to species recovery—such as climate change, invertebrate prey availability, local disease/pathogen prevalence in bat populations, and aquatic pollutants—are poorly understood in PEINP and NHSs. Research and monitoring actions have been defined to gather knowledge on these threats, however, as with other actions in this plan, implementation may rely on additional resources and/or partner support.

Outreach and Education: In addition to the implementation of measures that contribute to species conservation and recovery, Parks Canada has an important role in promoting awareness and appreciation of species at risk. Providing opportunities for the public to learn about and experience national parks is a central component of Parks Canada’s mandate. Thus, national parks afford an opportunity and an imperative for engaging the public in species at risk recovery. A suite of public outreach, education and visitor activities have been developed as part of the action planning process. These will engage audiences using a broad range of approaches and levels of participation, including promotion of citizen science platforms, volunteer opportunities, sustainable infrastructure development, and traditional media/outreach campaigns.

The development of a park communication and engagement plan will focus on priority messages about species of conservation concern, the habitats that support them, the threats they face, and what the public can do to help. The promotion of citizen science programming will help fill knowledge gaps on species occurrences within and outside of PEINP. Additionally, we will continue to work to develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations to share and promote consistent conservation messaging to a broader audience in a landscape-scale approach to outreach. The province-wide Dune Conservation Campaign, implemented with Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and INT, is an example of this approach to habitat conservation on PEI where messaging extended province-wide.

Outreach and education activities defined in this plan consider previously mentioned conservation and recovery approaches. PEINP will continue to work with Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq partners to develop best practices for sharing information on culturally significant species, Indigenous Knowledge, two-eyed seeing, and Indigenous truths, which prioritize Indigenous Knowledge sovereignty. This will include the development of the Sister Trails Network in collaboration with First Nations partners. This system of trails, located on Lennox Island, Scotchfort, and PEINP, will host a space for Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq peoples and visitors to make meaningful connections with Mi’kmaq culture and ways of knowing, while sharing messaging on culturally significant species, species at risk and climate change impacts on PEI.

3.2 Classification of measures

Measures identified in this plan are categorized based on Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) Conservation Actions Classifications^{Footnote 15}. The following action classifications are addressed in this plan:

Land / Water Management:

Prince Edward Island National Park is highly impacted by the history of past and present human use, from traditional practices, such as forest clearing for agriculture, to more recent development of land to facilitate visitor access to Parks Canada places. Measures in this plan have been selected to enhance site stewardship within this altered landscape and in consideration of the realities of visitor use. As visitation to PEINP continues to grow, initiatives to direct human use on the landscape will focus on the protection of vulnerable ecosystem components and critical habitat through seasonal area closures. Site stewardship to reduce stressors within the environment and enhance existing ecosystem processes, such as invasive species management and targeted planting to create and/or restore existing habitat, will be key to ensure conservation and recovery measures for many species are addressed by this plan.

Species Management:

Prince Edward Island National Park is predominantly encompassed by the coastal ecosystem, wherein several of the species addressed in this plan have associated habitat. Anticipated impacts of climate change are predicted to result in range shifts, loss of existing habitat, and creation of new suitable sites for reintroduction and nesting opportunities. Actions taken by this plan will include ex-situ preservation efforts, in the form of seed collection, which can be key in the conservation of genetic diversity for declining species. By contributing to research, ecological restoration, population reintroduction and assisted migration, the collection and preservation of seed lots can play an important role in regional climate change adaptation. Identifying future suitable habitat for vulnerable species to facilitate potential re-introduction and assisted colonization beyond the current extant or historical population will further support the population and distribution objectives herein.

Awareness Raising:

Species at risk information will be integrated into the park’s comprehensive visitor experience, compliance, education, and outreach programs, helping to improve awareness, appreciation, and support for recovery efforts in the park and beyond. Directing signage and information campaigns to the broad and diverse visitor base provides opportunities to connect with the public through direct involvement in species recovery and to draw upon citizen science and volunteers in resource conservation. Campaigns will be directed to mitigate threats within the PEINP landscape by improving awareness of localized issues, such as the impact of domestic animals on wildlife. When possible, awareness campaigns and outreach activities will support standardized messaging with partner organizations in a landscape-scale approach.

Research and Monitoring:

Knowledge gaps represent major impediments to the development and implementation of effective conservation and recovery measures for many species of conservation concern. Information obtained through research and monitoring will provide a better site-level and regional understanding of species ecology, distribution, status and population trends, allowing for better protection and timely implementation of active management and threat mitigation. Desktop research and analysis to inform habitat assessments, habitat connectivity analyses, and modeling of climate change-driven habitat changes and loss will provide useful decision-making tools to guide future landscape-scale conservation action, climate change adaptation, and inform site-specific species management. The park benefits from strong relationships with local academic institutions, such as the University of Prince Edward Island’s (UPEI) Biology Department, UPEI’s Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, Holland College, and Atlantic Veterinary College to facilitate such research. Academic interest in PEINP sites provides a consistent source of research that informs management and restoration efforts and helps to fill current knowledge gaps on species ecology.

Partnerships/collaborations^{Footnote 16}:

This action plan provides the opportunity for PEINP to partner across the landscape to have a greater impact on the species of conservation concern beyond the boundary of lands administered by Parks Canada. Its implementation will require continued collaboration with First Nations partners, academic institutions, regional partners, and local conservation groups working towards the mutual goal of species conservation. Parks Canada will continue to engage local communities, visitors, and volunteers to improve the ecological health of PEINP and NHSs and support the recovery of species at risk. PEINP will work to maintain existing partnerships and cultivate new ones related to conservation issues and research questions of mutual interest.

4. Critical habitat

Critical habitat is “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species” (SARA s.2(1)). Where the recovery strategy for a species states that the identification of critical habitat is not complete, a schedule of studies is included towards gathering additional information to complete the identification. Additional critical habitat can be identified in an amended recovery strategy or in an upcoming or amended action plan for the species.

Critical habitat was identified in PEINP within the recovery strategies for Piping Plover, Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster, Bank Swallow, and Little Brown and Northern Myotis. No additional critical habitat for any species is identified in this action plan.

4.1 Proposed measures to protect critical habitat

Critical habitat identified in PEINP and NHSs in recovery strategies for species addressed in this plan must be legally protected from destruction as per section 58 of SARA. SARA requires that critical habitat identified in a federally protected area^{Footnote 17} be described in the Canada Gazette within 90 days after the final recovery strategy or action plan that identified the critical habitat is posted to the SAR public registry. A prohibition against destruction of critical habitat under section 58(1) will apply 90 days after the description of the critical habitat is published in the Canada Gazette. For critical habitat located on other federal lands (e.g., National Historic Sites or National Park Reserves), the competent minister must either make a statement on existing legal protection or make an Order so that the prohibition against destruction of critical habitat applies.

If it is determined that any portions of critical habitat are not protected, and steps are being taken to protect those portions, those steps will be communicated via the Registry through the reports referred to in section 63 of SARA.

5. Evaluation of socio-economic costs and benefits

The Species at Risk Act requires the competent minister to undertake an evaluation of the socio-economic costs of the action plan and the benefits to be derived from its implementation (s.49(1)(e)). This socio-economic assessment is narrow in scope, as it applies only to protected lands and waters in PEINP and NHSs, which are often subject to fewer threats (e.g., industrial activities) compared to other areas because the lands are managed to maintain and restore ecological and commemorative integrity. Further, this evaluation addresses only the incremental socio-economic costs and benefits of implementing the measures outlined in this action plan and does not include socio-economic impacts of existing activities or management regimes in those Parks Canada sites. It does not address total cumulative costs or benefits of species recovery in general nor does it attempt to conduct a full cost-benefit analysis as is done to support a regulatory initiative.

The protection and recovery of species at risk can result in both costs and benefits, which affect various groups of Canadian society in different ways. The proposed measures in this action plan seek a balanced approach to reducing or eliminating threats to species at risk populations and habitats. Potential socio-economic costs as well as the social and environmental benefits that may occur through implementation of this action plan are outlined below. Information for this summary was collected through cooperation and consultation and focuses on the potential impact to terms of references for agricultural leases, Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq communities, and visitors to PEINP and NHSs.

5.1 Costs

The total incremental cost to implement the measures outlined in Appendix B will be borne by Parks Canada out of existing salaries and goods and services dollars that are integrated into the operational management of the site and thereby will not result in additional cost to society. Implementation of the measures in this plan is subject to appropriations, priorities, and budgetary constraints. Measures outlined in Appendix C will only be implemented through partnerships or if additional resources become available.

Socio-economic costs to Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq communities, park visitors, and agricultural leases, through modified terms of references, may result from implementation of this action plan. These costs were determined through consultation and discussion and wherever possible, minimized. The main impacts of implementing this action plan were identified as restricted access to certain areas of the park due to seasonal closures to protect species at risk and associated habitat. This may negatively impact Park visitors’ enjoyment and access to the landscape, and Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq communities’ access to areas for traditional usage. Where possible, such impacts to traditional Mi’kmaw practices will be mitigated through co-developed stewardship plans. Agriculture lease holders may be impacted by formalizing best management practices implemented to protect Bobolink and their habitat. Parks Canada has given these costs considerable examination and does not underestimate their potential significance to our stakeholders. In many cases mitigations are currently in practice and, where possible, have been anticipated and built into this plan to minimize impacts.

5.2 Benefits

Potential economic benefits of the conservation and recovery of species at risk at this site cannot be easily quantified, as many of the values derived from wildlife are non-market commodities that are difficult to appraise in financial terms. Wildlife, in all its forms, has value in and of itself, and is valued by Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, economic, medical, ecological, and scientific reasons.

The conservation of species at risk is an important component of the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserving biological diversity and is important to Canada’s current and future economic and natural wealth. Measures in this plan help to meet the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal of protecting and recovering species and conserving Canadian biodiversity. It also contributes to the global goal of ensuring “biodiversity is sustainably used and managed and nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, are valued, maintained and enhanced, with those currently in decline being restored” (Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, December 2022).

The protected natural capital assets (forests, grasslands, wetlands, freshwater, coastal and marine areas) of national parks and national marine conservation areas provide a flow of ecosystem services (e.g., climate regulation, provision of habitat, water supply and regulation) that benefit individuals and communities across Canada. Parks Canada works to sustain and improve the ecological condition of the national network of protected places. Efforts that improve species’ condition and their role in the ecosystem, such as recovery measures in this action plan, have an impact on the overall health of the ecosystem. For PEINP, the potential annual value of ecosystem services has been estimated to range between $9 million and $45 million (medium value $27 million)^{Footnote 18} (Mulrooney & Jones, 2023). Implementing the measures within this MSAP will contribute to sustaining the valuable flow of ecosystem services to Canadians.

Measures presented in this action plan will contribute to meeting recovery strategy objectives for threatened and endangered species and will also contribute to meeting management objectives for species of special concern. Recovery Strategies, Action Plans and Management Plans for SARA listed species are an integral part of species management aimed at species’ survival and recovery, maintaining biodiversity in Canada and conserving Canada’s natural heritage.

The measures outlined in this document are expected to have an overall positive impact on ecological integrity and enhance opportunities for appreciation of the park and the species by visitors and the general public. The measures are expected to have overall positive benefits to the environment and Canadians, such as positive impacts on biodiversity and the value individuals place on preserving biodiversity.

Additional potential benefits include positive impacts experienced by park visitors, volunteer groups, and naturalists resulting from the preservation of areas for future enjoyment, and increased opportunities to participate in species conservation. A greater connection to the land through community involvement may have supplementary landscape-scale benefits, such as reducing human-wildlife conflict and increased compliance outside of lands and waters administered by Parks Canada. Additionally, partner organizations (academic institutions, NGOs, neighbouring PCA sites) may benefit through activities which support the shared needs of these groups. This includes access to PEINP for new and ongoing research projects, access to long-term data sets to address knowledge gaps in species research and recovery, and greater reach for co-developed conservation messaging.

The two-eyed seeing approach, which has been interwoven into the drafting of this plan, is intended to have far reaching societal benefits. Partners from Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations have acknowledged that the relationship resulting from the collaborative planning process has been of significant value within each community, by supporting greater involvement by community members in conservation activities, the protection of traditional land, fostering a connection to that land, and the protection and promotion of culturally significant species. Additionally, park staff, park visitors, and the public benefit from the opportunity to further engage with and learn from Indigenous ways of knowing.

6. Measuring progress

Reporting on implementation of the action plan (under section 55 of SARA) will be done by assessing progress towards implementing the measures listed in Appendix B and Appendix C when possible. Reporting on the ecological impacts of the action plan will be done by assessing progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives (Appendix A). Progress will be monitored annually and an implementation report summarizing the results of this plan will be posted to the SAR Public Registry five years following publication of the final version. The five-year report will also include a summary of the socio-economic impacts from implementing the action plan.

7. References

Bush, E and Lemmen, D.S., editors. 2019. Canada’s Changing Climate Report; Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON. 444p.

Canadian Wildlife Service. 2018. Pan-Canadian approach to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Quebec. 12p.

Conservation Measures Partnerships. 2020. Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation v 4.0.

Enns, Amie, Dan Kraus and Andrea Hebb. 2020. Ours to save: the distribution, status and conservation needs of Canada’s endemic species. NatureServe Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Environment Canada. 2013. Management Plan for the Beach Pinweed (Lechea maritima) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. iii + 18 pp.

Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2016. Management Plan for the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. iv + 45 pp.

Environment Canada. 2012. Recovery Strategy for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster (Symphyotrichum laurentianum) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. v + 18 pp. + appendices.

Environment Canada. 2018. Recovery Strategy for Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. ix + 172 pp.

Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2022. Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. viii + 124 pp.

Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2024. Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada.

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. 2015. Recovery and Action Plan for Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) in Nova Scotia.

Parks Canada Agency. 2016. Multi-species Action Plan for Prince Edward Island National Park. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. iv + 16 pp.

Parks Canada Agency. 2017. Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada Management Plan. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. ix + 20pp.

Parks Canada Agency. 2021. Implementation Report: Multi-species Action Plan for Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada (2016 to 2021). Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. v + 15 pp.

Parks Canada Agency. 2023. Prince Edward Island National Park and L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site, Green Gables Heritage Place: Climate Summary. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. 2pp.

Schuurman, G. W., C. Hawkins Hoffman, D. N. Cole, D. J. Lawrence, J. M. Morton, D. R. Magness, A. E. Cravens, S. Covington, R. O’Malley, and N. A. Fisichelli. 2020. Resist-accept-direct (RAD)— a framework for the 21st-century natural resource manager. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/CCRP/NRR—2020/ 2213. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-22835

Appendix A: Species information, objectives, and monitoring plans for species at risk in PEINP and NHSs

Appendix B: Conservation and recovery measures that will be implemented

Appendix C: Other conservation and recovery measures that will be implemented if partnerships or additional resources become available