Part 2: The List of Species Eligible for an Amendment to Schedule 1: January 2026
The list of species eligible for an amendment to Schedule 1
Status of the recently assessed species and consultation paths
On October 16, 2025, COSEWIC submitted twelve assessments of species at risk to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature for species that are eligible to be added to Schedule 1 of SARA. Eight of these are terrestrial species, and four are aquatic species. COSEWIC also reviewed the classification of species already on Schedule 1, in some cases changing their status. One terrestrial species is being considered for a merge from two wildlife species to one. Two terrestrial species are being considered for a lower risk status on SARA. One species is being considered for a removal from Schedule 1. In all, 12 terrestrial species that are eligible to be added or removed from Schedule 1, or to have their current status on Schedule 1 changed are included in this consultation (Table 1).
COSEWIC also submitted the reviews of species already on Schedule 1, confirming their classification. Three of these reviews were for terrestrial species. These species are not included in the consultations because there is no regulatory change being proposed (Table 2).
For more information on the consultations for aquatic species, visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website at Aquatic species at risk.
Providing comments
The involvement of Canadians is integral to the listing process, as it is to the ultimate protection of Canadian wildlife. Your comments matter and are given serious consideration. Environment and Climate Change Canada will review all the comments that it receives by the deadlines provided below.
Comments for terrestrial species undergoing normal consultations must be received by May 14, 2026.
Comments for terrestrial species undergoing extended consultations must be received by October 14, 2026.
Most species will be undergoing normal consultations. For a description of the consultation paths these species will undergo, please visit the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry website at: Minister Response: COSEWIC species at risk assessments - January 2026.
For more details on submitting comments, see the section “Comments solicited on the proposed amendment of Schedule 1” in the document entitled “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species”.
Please email your comments to the Species at Risk Public Registry at: sararegistry@ec.gc.ca
Comments may also be mailed to:
Director General, Wildlife Management
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
For more information on the Species at Risk Act, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry website.
Taxon |
Species |
Scientific name |
Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species eligible for addition to Schedule 1 (8) |
|||
| Endangered (6) |
|||
Arthropods |
Valley Grasshopper |
Oedaleonotus enigma |
BC |
Birds |
Short-billed Dowitcher caurinus subspecies |
Limnodromus griseus caurinus |
BC, YT |
Lichens |
Cupped Fringe Lichen |
Heterodermia hypoleuca |
NB, ON, QC |
Molluscs |
Big-tooth Whitelip |
Neohelix dentifera |
ON, QC |
Mosses |
Circular-leaved Peat Moss |
Sphagnum cyclophyllum |
NS |
Vascular Plants |
Short-fruited Rush |
Juncus brachycarpus |
ON |
| Threatened (2) |
|||
Birds |
Short-billed Dowitcher hendersoni/griseus |
Limnodromus griseus hendersoni/griseus |
AB, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK |
Birds |
Snowy Owl |
Bubo scandiacus |
AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT |
| Reclassifications: Merge (1) and Down-list (2) |
|||
| Merge from one Threatened and one Endangered wildlife species to one Threatened wildlife species (1) |
|||
Reptiles |
Eastern MassasaugaFootnote 1 |
Sistrurus catenatus |
ON |
| From Endangered to Threatened (1) |
|||
Reptiles |
Butler's Gartersnake |
Thamnophis butleri |
ON |
| From Threatened to Special Concern (1) |
|||
Birds |
Least Bittern |
Botaurus exilis |
MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK |
| Reclassifications: Removal from Schedule 1 (1) |
|||
| From Endangered to Data deficient (1) |
|||
Arthropods |
Macropis Cuckoo Bee |
Epeoloides pilosulus |
AB, MB, NB, NS, ON, QC, SK |
Taxon |
Species |
Scientific name |
Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status Confirmations (3) |
|||
| Endangered (1) |
|||
Mosses |
Roell's Brotherella Moss |
Brotherella roellii |
BC |
| Threatened (2) |
|||
Birds |
Lewis's Woodpecker |
Melanerpes lewis |
AB, BC |
Mammals |
Black-tailed Prairie Dog |
Cynomys ludovicianus |
SK |
The COSEWIC summaries of terrestrial species eligible for addition or reclassification on Schedule 1
For a brief summary of the reasons for the COSEWIC status designation of individual species, and their biology, threats, distribution and other information, please consult the COSEWIC Summaries of Terrestrial Species Eligible for Addition or Reclassification on Schedule 1 at: Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species January 2026
For a more comprehensive explanation of the conservation status of an individual species, please refer to the COSEWIC status report for that species, also available on the SAR Public Registry website.
or contact:
COSEWIC Secretariat
c/o Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3