Woodland Caribou (Boreal population) in Manitoba: draft conservation agreement
Draft agreement for the conservation and recovery of the Woodland Caribou, Boreal population, in Manitoba
This Agreement for the conservation and recovery of the Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (“Agreement”) is made in duplicate as of _______(date)______, pursuant to Sections 10 and 11 of the Species At Risk Act (SARA) and Section 84 of the Wildlife Act, 1987
between
Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada,
as represented by the Minister of the Environment who is responsible for the Department of the Environment
(“Canada” or “Environment and Climate Change Canada” “ECCC”)
and
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the province of Manitoba,
as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development (“Manitoba” “MB”)
(hereinafter the “Parties”)
Preamble
Whereas the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou; Boreal Woodland Caribou) has been listed as threatened under the Species at Risk Act and as threatened under The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act;
And whereas the Parties recognize their respective and shared accountability to promote the conservation and recovery of all Boreal Woodland Caribou populations in Manitoba;
And whereas the Parties wish to cooperate in the identification of conservation and recovery measures and recognize their shared responsibility of delivering conservation and recovery measures to support protection and recovery of the Boreal Woodland Caribou in the province of Manitoba;
And whereas Manitoba has legislative responsibility for, among other things, wildlife management, including species at risk, and decisions respecting natural resources and provincial Crown and private lands, in the province of Manitoba and has the responsibility to lead on conservation and recovery measures for the Boreal Woodland Caribou in the province;
And whereas Canada has legislative responsibility for wildlife species located on federal lands, and wildlife species listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act, which includes provisions to address recovery, as well as the protection of listed wildlife species including the individuals, their residences and critical habitat on non-federal land in certain circumstances;
And whereas the Parties recognize a role for Indigenous peoples and the importance of Indigenous knowledge being taken into account in the conservation of wildlife in Manitoba including the conservation and recovery of the Boreal Woodland Caribou;
And whereas the Parties recognize that Indigenous peoples’ perspectives will be relevant to inform implementation of this Agreement including with respect to their constitutionally protected aboriginal and treaty rights;
And whereas the region in which Boreal Woodland Caribou occur is a working landscape in which other parties have interests and may be partners for achieving successful outcomes for Boreal Woodland Caribou conservation;
And whereas the Parties recognize that the protection of the habitat of species at risk is key to their conservation and recovery;
And whereas the Parties recognize the value of species conservation and recovery;
And whereas section 10 of the Species at Risk Act provides the competent ministers with the authority to enter into agreements with any other government of Canada, organization or wildlife management board with respect to the administration of any provision of the Act;
And whereas section 11 of the Species at Risk Act provides the competent ministers with the authority to enter into conservation agreements with any other government in Canada, organization or person to benefit a species at risk or enhance its survival in the wild, such agreements must provide for the taking of conservation measures and any other measures consistent with the purposes of the Species at Risk Act;
And whereas section 84 of The Wildlife Act, 1987 provides that Manitoba may enter into an intergovernmental agreement;
And whereas the Parties recognize that Boreal Woodland Caribou conservation and recovery will require long-term resourcing and commitment on behalf of both Parties to be successful;
And whereas the Parties recognize that intergovernmental cooperation is important to species at risk recovery and protection and are both signatories to the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996);
Now therefore, the Parties commit to the following:
1. Definitions
“Agreement” means this agreement entered into between ECCC and Manitoba and includes the recitals and Appendices.
“Boreal Caribou Recovery Habitat”, as defined in the Manitoba Recovery Strategy, means a geographic area, larger than the core use areas (occupied areas), that affords year-round refuge habitat and provides the resources required for the life requirements of caribou (i.e. calving/nursery areas, wintering areas, rutting areas) to maintain self-sustaining populations. It will include existing/future protected habitat, together with unoccupied areas that may be required to provide future habitat for multiple generations of Boreal Woodland Caribou. See section 4.4 for relation to federally designated critical habitat.
“Boreal Woodland Caribou” means the boreal populations of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Manitoba.
“Caribou Management Unit” means a delineated geographical land base within which one or more boreal woodland caribou ranges are managed in combination for population sustainability, connectivity and habitat goals.
“Core Use Area” means an area of concentrated Boreal Woodland Caribou high use as determined by kernel density analysis of collar location data.
“Critical Habitat”, as defined under the Species at Risk Act, means the habitat that is necessary for the survival or the 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.
“Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act” means The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act, CCSM c. E 111.
“Federal Recovery Strategy” means the document entitled “Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population in Canada (2012)” including amendments, replacements or updated versions, developed in relation to requirements of the federal Species at Risk Act and included in the Species at Risk Act Public Registry.
“Indigenous peoples” means “aboriginal peoples of Canada” within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
“Manitoba Recovery Strategy” means the document entitled “Manitoba’s Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy” including amendments, replacements or updated versions, developed in relation to requirements of Manitoba’s Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act.
“Parties” means ECCC and Manitoba collectively and “Party” means any one of them.
“Range plans” refer to plans, consistent with Canada’s range plan guidance, that provide information on historical monitoring and science on a specific Boreal Woodland Caribou population or group of populations, as well as actions required to conserve and recover Boreal Woodland Caribou populations within a particular geographic area, including how range-specific land and/or resource activities will be managed over space and time to protect and recover Boreal Woodland Caribou habitat.
“Species at Risk Act” means the Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, C. 29.
“Undisturbed habitat” means habitat that is not impacted by natural disturbance (wildfire <40 years) or human disturbance with the associated buffer as designated within the Federal Recovery Strategy.
“Wildlife Act” means the The Wildlife Act, C.C.S.M. c. W130.
2. Goal and purpose
2.1. The overarching goal of this Agreement is to articulate the actions the Parties will take to support the conservation and recovery of local Boreal Woodland Caribou populations to self-sustaining status in the long term, in a manner consistent with the population and distribution objectives and critical habitat outcomes outlined in the Federal Recovery Strategy and aligned with the Manitoba Recovery Strategy.
2.2. The purposes of this Agreement are to:
2.2.1. set out effective conservation and recovery measures that will be taken by the Parties to support conservation and recovery of Boreal Woodland Caribou local populations in Manitoba. These measures include: landscape planning and caribou population and habitat monitoring;
2.2.2. coordinate conservation activities between the Parties in respect to Boreal Woodland Caribou conservation and recovery; and
2.2.3. facilitate the integration of new information into updated recovery and planning documents.
3. Principles
The following principles will guide the interpretation and implementation of this Agreement.
3.1. Collaboration: the Parties will work together to achieve a common understanding of conservation and recovery measures needed to support conservation and recovery of Boreal Woodland Caribou local populations in Manitoba and will cooperate in the development and implementation of these measures in a manner that minimizes duplication, maximizes efficiency and respects jurisdictional roles and responsibilities.
3.2. Results focus: the Parties will implement effective conservation and recovery measures to achieve positive trends in all Boreal Woodland Caribou local populations in Manitoba and to maintain naturally self-sustaining local populations, recognizing the need for and contribution of both habitat and non-habitat measures in achieving these results.
3.3. Use of best available information: the Parties will make use of the best available scientific information, and Indigenous knowledge, and will make reasonable efforts to obtain this information and access this knowledge.
3.4. Adaptive management: the Parties recognize that monitoring the effects of conservation and recovery measures and adjusting approaches as necessary will be critical to success.
3.5. Transparency: the Parties will make information related to implementation of conservation and recovery measures covered by this Agreement publicly available in accordance with their respective legislation.
3.6. Indigenous Engagement: the Parties will continue to engage Indigenous peoples with respect to Boreal Woodland Caribou conservation in Manitoba, including the development and implementation of range plans and of conservation and recovery measures pursuant to this Agreement.
3.7. Stakeholder Engagement: the Parties will continue to seek opportunities for engagement with stakeholders as collaborators in Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery, including development and implementation of range plans and conservation and recovery measures pursuant to this Agreement.
4. Interpretation
4.1. The preamble hereof and any Appendices hereto form an integral part of this Agreement.
4.2. This Agreement does not create any new legal powers or duties on the part of the Parties nor does it alter the powers and duties established by the Species at Risk Act, The Wildlife Act, The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act or any other federal legislation or legislation in Manitoba.
4.3. Neither Party relinquishes or acquires any jurisdiction, right, power, privilege, prerogative or immunity by virtue of this Agreement.
4.4. For the purposes of this Agreement, conservation measures are assigned to Manitoba’s Caribou Management Units set out in Appendix A (Figure 1) which cover 96% of the extent of federally designated Boreal Woodland Caribou critical habitat. The Parties recognize differences between extents of critical habitat and provincial Caribou Management Units and have included conservation measures in range planning processes that will ensure final range planning boundaries include all Core Use Areas and associated Boreal Caribou Recovery Habitat known to occur in the province.
4.5. The Parties acknowledge that Recovery Habitat and Core Use Areas, as defined in the Manitoba Recovery Strategy, are protected as habitat under The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act.
4.6. The Parties acknowledge that while the definitions of Boreal Caribou Recovery Habitat (for purposes of habitat under The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act) and critical habitat (for purposes of the Species at Risk Act) are not identical, the definitions describe a shared expected outcome of protecting necessary habitat upon which the species relies for its life cycle.
4.7. The Parties acknowledge that outcomes of this Agreement and/or management actions contained in the resulting Manitoba range plans are to be supported by the existing legal authority of The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act to protect habitat and do not require further enabling action under the laws of the province.
5. Collaborate and coordinate on recovery strategies, action plans, and range plans
5.1. The Parties will cooperate in the development, amendment and implementation of recovery strategies, action plans, management plans, range plans and similar documents related to the conservation and recovery of Boreal Woodland Caribou. This cooperation will include:
5.1.1. Keeping the other Party informed of the timing of the preparation of these documents;
5.1.2. Seeking to cooperate on timing of document preparation to coordinate processes and seek efficiencies; and
5.1.3. Sharing information for the preparation of these documents and providing opportunities to review and comment on drafts of these documents.
6. Indigenous peoples engagement
6.1. In accordance with its established policies and practices, each Party commits to engage with Indigenous peoples for the conservation and recovery of the Boreal Woodland Caribou.
6.2. With respect to this Agreement, the Parties will:
6.2.1. Engage Indigenous peoples to share information on progress and future measures related to implementation of this Agreement;
6.2.2. Consider opportunities for collaboration with Indigenous peoples on implementation of conservation and recovery measures; and
6.2.3. Engage Indigenous peoples in the development of range plans and recovery measures.
6.3. The Parties commit to consider relevant Indigenous knowledge that Indigenous peoples share with the Parties, in Boreal Woodland Caribou assessment, protection, conservation and recovery efforts.
6.4. As the lead in development and implementation of conservation measures for the Boreal Woodland Caribou, Manitoba will lead engagement with Indigenous Communities, with support from Canada.
7. Stakeholder engagement
7.1. The Parties commit to engage with stakeholders for the conservation and recovery of the Boreal Woodland Caribou.
7.2. With respect to this Agreement, the Parties will:
7.2.1. Engage stakeholders in the development of range plans and recovery measures;
7.2.2. Engage stakeholders to share information on progress and future measures related to the implementation of the Agreement; and
7.2.3. Consider opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders on implementation of conservation and recovery measures.
7.3. With the support from ECCC, Manitoba will take the lead in fulfilling the responsibilities under section 7.2 of this Agreement.
7.4. The Parties will work with willing partners to develop and implement best management practices and procedures to minimize impacts to Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery.
8. Conservation and recovery measures for boreal woodland caribou
8.1. The Parties acknowledge that:
8.1.1. Recovery will require a landscape-level approach delivered in a sustained manner through time;
8.1.2. Achieving the goal and purposes of this Agreement will require measures that integrate Boreal Woodland Caribou conservation and recovery requirements into land use and resource management decisions;
8.1.3. Caribou conservation and recovery will require measures, both immediately and over the long term, to protect, conserve and restore habitat, and increase Boreal Woodland Caribou recruitment and survival, using the best available information;
8.1.4. Some improvements in protection of the Boreal Woodland Caribou and their habitat can be addressed through changes in current decision-making processes, while others may require legislative or regulatory change, which may be subject to Manitoba’s legislative and regulatory processes and timeframes including engagement and the duty to consult.
8.1.5. For planning purposes in Manitoba, the extent of the Boreal Woodland Caribou range is delineated into nine (9) Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Units. As new information is obtained, these boundaries may be adjusted as required to ensure that all relevant Boreal Woodland Caribou range is included within the Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery planning framework.
8.1.6. Range plans will be developed in line with ECCC’s Range Plan Guidance, and implemented for all nine (9) Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Units in Manitoba.
8.1.7. Decisions with respect to the conservation and recovery of Boreal Woodland Caribou may have the potential to adversely affect the exercise of Aboriginal or treaty rights. Where the duty to consult has been triggered, the Crown, consisting of Canada or Manitoba or both, will consult with Indigenous Peoples whose Aboriginal or treaty rights may be adversely affected in accordance with the Crown’s legal duty .
8.2. The Parties commit to achieving naturally self-sustaining local Boreal Woodland Caribou populations in Manitoba, consistent with the population and distribution objectives set out in the Federal Recovery Strategy. The Parties establish the following population targets over the short, medium, and long term:
8.2.1. Short term (3 years): establish population status for all Caribou Management Units.
8.2.2. Medium term (10 years or sooner): implement a population monitoring program to establish long term population trends.
8.2.3. Long term (50 years or more): to achieve naturally self-sustaining status for all Boreal Woodland Caribou populations in Manitoba.
8.3. The Parties commit to a long term goal to achieve and maintain levels of Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery Habitat and Undisturbed habitat that are consistent with critical habitat objectives and identification as set out in the Federal Recovery Strategy. The Parties acknowledge the following targets will guide the application and evaluation of conservation measures over the short, medium and long term.
8.3.1. In the short term (3 years):
8.3.1.1. Develop and begin implementing range plans for all nine (9) Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Units in Manitoba, as per Table A.
8.3.1.2. Integrate range plans into provincial land use planning and approval processes.
8.3.2. In the medium term (15 years or sooner), maintain or increase Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery Habitat, that includes appropriate biophysical attributes, via a range of measures including restoration, habitat protection and habitat offsetting.
8.3.3. In the long term (30 years or sooner), achieve Undisturbed habitat levels consistent with critical habitat thresholds as identified in the Federal Recovery Strategy and that includes appropriate biophysical attributes across all Caribou Management Units in Manitoba.
8.4. The Parties acknowledge the targets laid out will guide the application and evaluation of recovery measures. These targets will be reviewed, and possibly revised through an adaptive management process.
8.5. To work toward achieving the above commitments the Parties will implement the conservation and recovery measures described in Appendix B Tables A and B over the term of this Agreement:
8.5.1. Table A – Landscape-level planning; and
8.5.2. Table B – Population and habitat monitoring.
9. Governance
9.1. The Representatives of the Parties referred to in section 16.1 of this Agreement will convene annually to:
9.1.1. Provide overall direction with respect to the implementation of this Agreement;
9.1.2. Ensure strategic alignment between delivery of provisions outlined in this Agreement and both the Federal Recovery Strategy and the Manitoba Recovery Strategy; and
9.1.3. Ensure that communication, cooperation and collaboration between the Parties are clear, timely and effective.
10. Information sharing and research
10.1. Subject to applicable data sharing agreements, or legislative provisions that would prevent them from doing so, each Party agrees to provide the other Party access at no charge to available data and information relevant to the implementation of this Agreement. This includes:
10.1.1. Information on the status, conservation, and recovery of the Boreal Woodland Caribou in Manitoba, including habitat protection and other recovery measures; and
10.1.2. Information pertaining to Boreal Caribou Recovery Habitat and critical habitat.
10.2. Some data and information may require confidentiality, or may have been obtained with an understanding of confidentiality, for reasons including but not limited to ensuring safe and effective implementation of conservation and recovery measures. Data and information so identified by a Party, or by a collaborator in programs and activities related to this Agreement, will be held confidential by the Parties to the extent permitted by their respective legislation and related policies, procedures, and agreements.
11. Financial arrangements and support
11.1. Recognizing the significant financial investments required to support Boreal Woodland Caribou conservation and recovery, the Parties will work together on an annual basis to identify needs, priorities and funding opportunities to implement conservation and recovery measures to achieve the recovery outcomes identified in Section 2 of this Agreement.
11.2. The Parties recognize that implementation of this Agreement is subject to their respective appropriations, priorities and budgetary constraints.
12. Monitoring and reporting
12.1. The Parties agree to convene at least annually to develop and/or review work plans and financial investments for the coming year, and review and document the progress of conservation and recovery measures set out in Appendix B of this Agreement. In the first two (2) reviews, the Parties will examine the conservation and recovery measures, including progress on implementation and proposed progress for the following year, among other matters they consider necessary to review.
12.2. With the support of Manitoba, Canada will prepare and issue an annual report documenting the results and status of the conservation and recovery measures contained in Appendix B of this Agreement.
12.3. In years when Canada prepares the 5-year report referred to in section 46 of the Species at Risk Act, Manitoba will provide a comprehensive report, summarizing the status of conservation and recovery measures over the duration of the agreement.
12.4. The annual and comprehensive reports will be used to inform reporting requirements under sections 46 and 63 and paragraph 126(c) of the Species at Risk Act.
12.5. The annual and comprehensive reports will address:
12.5.1. Progress towards achieving commitments made by the Parties under this Agreement;
12.5.2. Steps taken to protect and recover critical habitat of the Boreal Woodland Caribou that is not yet protected;
12.5.3. Progress towards achieving agreed upon annual actions;
12.5.4. Population and habitat monitoring results;
12.5.5. The effectiveness of conservation and recovery measures outlined in Appendix B of this Agreement in relation to provisions listed in the Recovery Strategies; and
12.5.6. Unforeseen circumstances or stochastic events that might impact conservation and recovery measures.
12.6. Based on the review outlined in section 12.1 of this Agreement, the Parties will evaluate the conservation and recovery measures listed in Appendix B of this Agreement, and propose any additional commitments which may be required to increase the likelihood of achieving the conservation and recovery of the Boreal Woodland Caribou in Manitoba.
12.7. The comprehensive report will be used to inform discussions on the renewal of this Agreement.
13. Agreement duration, termination and renewal
13.1. This Agreement takes effect on the date of the last signature affixed to this Agreement (“Effective Date”). It will remain in force until March 31, 2025, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement.
13.2. Either Party may terminate this Agreement for any reason, ninety (90) days after consulting with and providing written notice to the other Party, as per Section 15. Each Party acknowledges that failure to implement commitments it has made in this Agreement may be grounds for the other Party to invoke this section.
13.3. The Parties may renew this Agreement or any part of it, and its term may be extended with the written consent of the Parties prior to the expiration of this Agreement.
14. Amendment
14.1. This Agreement may be amended from time to time with the written consent of the Parties.
14.2. In particular, Appendix B to this Agreement may be amended in writing from time to time, as required, and automatically incorporated into this Agreement, as amended, by the written consent of the Representatives identified pursuant to subsection 16.1 of this Agreement.
14.3. In case of amendments to the Federal Recovery Strategy or the Manitoba Recovery Strategy, the Parties will consider whether amendments to this Agreement are warranted.
15. Dispute resolution
15.1. In the event of a dispute between the Parties arising out of this Agreement, the Parties will use the following procedure to resolve the dispute:
15.1.1. Disputes arising from Boreal Woodland Caribou activities and programming contemplated in this Agreement will be raised when Representatives convene annually (section 9.1 of this Agreement); and
15.1.2. Disputes under subsection 15.1.1 which have not been resolved and all other disputes under the Agreement will be referred to the Representatives identified pursuant to section 16.1 of this Agreement for final resolution.
16. Designation for implementation of this agreement
16.1. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Representatives of the Parties are:
16.1.1. Manitoba – the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Management and Protection Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development.
16.1.2. Canada – the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada.
16.2. The administration and day-to-day implementation of this Agreement will be carried out on behalf of Canada by delegates of the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada.
16.3. The administration and day-to-day implementation of this Agreement will be carried out on behalf of Manitoba by delegates of the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Management and Protection Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development.
16.4. Where this Agreement requires notice be provided or received, or consent be given, the Representative of each Party identified in section 16.1 of this Agreement may provide or receive notice or give the consent required.
17. Counterparts
17.1. This Agreement may be signed in several counterparts and each counterpart shall constitute an original document; these counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. The Parties agree that executed counterparts may be transmitted electronically and that such counterparts shall be treated as originally executed instruments. Each Party undertakes to provide the others with a copy of the original Agreement bearing actual original signatures within a reasonable period of time following execution of this Agreement.
18. Signatures
In witness whereof, the Parties have executed this Agreement.
On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada,
as represented by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service.
_______________________________
Tara Shannon
Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Signed this __________ day of ____________, 2022.
On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province Manitoba,
as represented by the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Management and Protection Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development
_______________________________
Rob Olson
Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Management and Protection Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development
Signed this __________ day of ____________, 2022.
Appendix A - Location of provincial Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Units within which range plans will be completed.
Long description
Map showing Manitoba, the critical habitat zones located at the central area of the province.
Appendix B - Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery measures table
| Action | Contribution to population and distribution objectives | Action objective over term of agreement | Accountable agency | CMUs | Deliverables 2022-2023 |
Deliverables 2023-2024 |
Deliverables 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.1 Range Planning | Critical habitat conservation and caribou population recovery | Complete Caribou Management Unit-specific plans that over time will achieve boreal woodland caribou critical habitat conservation outcomes set out in the Recovery Strategies and consistent with ECCC’s Range Plan Guidance for Woodland Caribou, Boreal Population (2016) | Manitoba | All | Continue developing and finalize a provincial Action Plan for Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery in Manitoba. [March 2023] Draft range plans completed for 4 Caribou Management Units, and which align with ECCC’s Range Plan Guidance [March 2023]:
Continue efforts to share information and engage Indigenous peoples, industry, non-government organizations and the general public in the development of the draft provincial range plan guidance document. [March 2023] |
Draft Range plans complete for 5 remaining Caribou Management Units, and which align with ECCC’s Range Plan Guidance [March 2024]:
|
Finalize and implement range plans for all 9 Caribou Management Units that align with ECCC’s Range Plan Guidance. [March 2025] |
| A.2 Cross-jurisdictional coordination | Critical habitat and caribou population recovery | Develop and implement complimentary conservation measures with neighbouring federal, territorial and provincial jurisdictions for shared Boreal Woodland Caribou populations | ECCC and Manitoba | 2,3,4,7,8 and 9 | Continue engagement with Ontario and Saskatchewan to share range planning approaches and opportunities for coordination and collaboration. [March 2023] | Continue to coordinate plans for shared woodland caribou populations. [March 2024] | Continue coordination on implementation of complimentary conservation measures for all shared woodland caribou populations. [March 2025] |
| A.3 Habitat Protection | Maintaining range conditions that support self-sustaining populations | Continuation of Core Use Area habitat protection/conservation within each Caribou Management Unit as currently enabled under the Manitoba Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery Strategy and the Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act | Manitoba | All | Continue incorporating Core Use Area protection/conservation into range planning and land management processes in a manner that is consistent with the objectives of the Federal Recovery Strategy. [March 2023] Continue promoting compliance with existing protection as part of range plan engagement opportunities. [March 2023] Incorporate targets to maintain or increase recovery habitat within Caribou Management Units. [March 2023] Continue to explore opportunities to manage recovery habitat to meet the Federal Recovery Strategy objectives. [March 2023] |
Continue incorporating Core Use Area protection/conservation into range planning and land management processes in a manner that is consistent with the objectives of the Federal Recovery Strategy. [March 2024] Continue promoting compliance with existing protection as part of range plan engagement opportunities. [March 2024] Incorporate targets to maintain or increase recovery habitat within Caribou Management Units. [March 2024] Continue to explore opportunities to manage recovery habitat to meet the Federal Recovery Strategy objectives. [March 2024] |
Continue incorporating Core Use Area protection/conservation into land management processes in a manner that is consistent with the objectives of the Federal Recovery Strategy. [March 2025] Continue promoting compliance with existing protection as part of range plan implementation. [March 2025] Implement actions toward meeting targets to maintain or increase recovery habitat within all 9 Caribou Management Units. [March 2025] Continue exploring opportunities to manage recovery habitat to meet the Federal Recovery Strategy objectives. [March 2025] |
| A.4 Range Boundary Updates | Maintaining range conditions that support self-sustaining populations | Ensure ranges in the Federal Recovery Strategy are accurate representations of where Boreal Woodland Caribou Core Use Areas and Recovery Habitat occur in Manitoba using the best information available. | ECCC (lead), Manitoba | All | Initiate discussions, review relevant data and formalize the process for updating range boundaries in the Federal Recovery Strategy. [March 2023] | Verify Core Use Area locations and extent of Recovery Habitat in portions of federal critical habitat that are not currently covered by provincial CMUs (Appendix A, Figure 1). [December 2023] | Not applicable |
| A.4 Range Boundary Updates | Maintaining range conditions that support self-sustaining populations | Resolve differences between extent of provincial Recovery Habitat and federal critical habitat. | Manitoba | 1, 2, 3 and 7 | Update range boundaries and make available for incorporation into Federal Recovery Strategy critical habitat documents (e.g. amendments, replacements or other such documents). [March 2023] |
Verify Core Use Area locations and extent of Recovery Habitat in portions of federal critical habitat that are not currently covered by provincial CMUs (Appendix A, Figure 1). [December 2023] | Not applicable |
| Management tool | Contribution to population and distribution objectives | Action objective over term of agreement | Accountable agency | CMUs | Deliverables 2022-2023 | Deliverables 2023-2024 | Deliverables 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.1 Population monitoring | Estimate and monitor range-specific population size and trends | Estimate range and total population size and trends | Manitoba | All | Report on population size and trend as part of range plan development for Owl-Flintstone, Partridge Crop, Interlake and Naosap-Reed Management Units. [March 2023] | Develop and implement a provincial population monitoring framework to enable standard acquisition and reporting of changes to population size and trends. [January 2024] Report on population size and trend as part of range plan development for The Bog, Wabowden, Atikaki-Berens, Molson, and Kamuchawie Caribou Management Units. [March 2024] |
Continue implementing the provincial population monitoring framework to enable standard acquisition and reporting of changes to population size and trends for all 9 Management Units. [March 2025] Continue reporting on population size and trend for all 9 Management Units as part of range plan implementation. [March 2025] |
| B.2 Habitat monitoring | Habitat disturbance by human and natural sources | Develop a monitoring and reporting framework for habitat disturbance and recovery, through range plans, including metrics for assessing disturbance level relative to critical habitat thresholds (i.e., <35% disturbed) | Manitoba | All | Investigate and identify opportunities to improve data acquisition and tracking for disturbance within Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Units. [March 2023] | Establish a baseline through reporting on disturbance levels in range plans. [March 2024] | Continue investigating and identifying opportunities to improve data acquisition and tracking for disturbance within Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Units. [March 2025] Continue monitoring and reporting on disturbance levels in all 9 Management Units. [March 2025] |
| B.2 Habitat monitoring | Available habitat and habitat disturbance by human and natural sources | Complete an updated land cover classification for all Management Units to enable updated habitat availability and disturbance analysis | Manitoba | All | Complete land cover classification for Molson and Atikaki-Berens Management Units. [March 2023] | Complete land cover classification for Kamuchawie Management Unit. [March 2024] | Complete land cover classification for remaining 6 caribou Management Units. [March 2025] |
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