Sea Otter Tiger Salamander Burrowing Owl Working together to protect species at risk: strategies recommended by local government to improve conservation on municipal, regional and private lands in British Columbia Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention Whistler, September 27, 2010 Presented by James Quayle, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria Jennifer Heron, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Vancouver yellow montane violet Badger Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog Presentation Outline 1. Why are species at risk important now? 2. Project overview LG SAR Working Group 3. recommendations 4. Next steps & opportunities for involvement 5. Questions & discussion end of session 2 1
Vancouver Island Marmot white-top aster Puget Oregonian Why are SAR important now? Growing human population and pressure of resource development and urbanization. Numbers of SAR continue to increase Media attention on legal challenges to federal Species at Risk Act Potential threat of jurisdictional intrusion Increasing public interest 3 yellow montane violet Badger Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog A More Strategic Approach Act sooner before species and ecosystems are at risk Act smarter science based priority-setting; move to more prevention and management activity Act together coordinated and inclusive action Invest more wisely align conservation investments, priorities and actions Within and among government agencies Partners and stakeholders Funding bodies 4 2
yellow montane violet Key Challenge: Protecting SAR on private land Badger Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog 6% of British Columbia is private land High proportion of species at risk occur on private land e.g. 38% of known plants at risk Wide Ranging residential & commercial development is 10 the most common threat to species in BC UBC polls suggest strong public support Very Localized 34 Regional 33 5 5 Localized 23 Vancouver Island Marmot white-top aster Puget Oregonian Starting a Discussion: Local Government SAR Working Group Partnership between UBCM, regional districts, municipal and provincial governments. Product: a collaborative technical discussion paper Recommended strategic approach to species at risk conservation on LG and private lands in BC. SAR Local Government / NGO / Province Pilot Projects Timeline: draft by May 2010; final by July. Support from UBCM Environment Committee. 6 3
Great Basin Spadefoot Edith s Checkerspot, taylori subspecies silver hair moss Project Overview Project charter (endorsed Oct 2009): a) Purpose / Background Develops a common, province-wide approach to protecting SAR on LG and private lands. Identifies issues & strategies for a path forward by June 2010. Builds upon existing work and creates new opportunities for dialogue between provincial and LGs. Proposes an approach through a discussion paper to senior executives and provincial SAR Task Force. Audience: senior executives of all governments and key land trusts / NGOs. 7 Western Screech Owl, Macfarlanei subspecies Oregon Spotted Frog Brewer s Sparrow, breweri subspecies Project Overview Project structure Sponsor Kaaren Lewis, Director Ecosystems Branch, MoE Co-chairs Jared Wright, UBCM; James Quayle, MoE Project managers Lynn Campbell; Jennifer Heron, MoE Engagement to-date 13 regional districts and 28 municipalities contacted. Over 50 LG staff and elected officials, and 12 HQ and regional provincial government staff signed on. Workshop to bring ideas together March 2, 2010. Current biases: technical/environment professionals; southern BC. Input from six province-wide land trusts / NGOs (LTA, TLC, FBCN, NCC, NTBC). 8 4
American White Pelican pink sand-verbena Enos Lake Benthic Stickleback Progress to Date Regular on-going meetings of Species at Risk Local Government Working Group Forum for communication and cooperation Draft discussion paper Built around 5 major strategies Identifies issues and needs Contains 45 recommendations for provincial government, local government & UBCM Included in resource documents for SAR Task Force 9 Western Painted Turtle, Pacific Coast pop. Vesper Sparrow, affinis subspecies Dromedary Jumping-slug Strategies Five strategies to support conservation of SAR on private and local government lands: 1. Increase local government awareness of species at risk. 2. Facilitate use of effective tools and techniques. 3. Identify and collaborate on shared responsibilities. 4. Conduct ecosystem mapping and encourage data sharing. 5. Engage landowners in species at risk habitat protection. 10 5
Great Basin Spadefoot Edith s Checkerspot, taylori subspecies silver hair moss WG Recommendations: How the Province can support LG to protect SAR Increase awareness through regular, regional workshops (e.g. webinars) for LG staff and consultants. Enact legislation to require protection of SAR. Enable LGs to develop by-laws and landowner incentives to protect biodiversity values. Encourage the development of LG plans and strategies that address SAR as part of broader sustainability initiatives. Provide clear direction on roles and responsibilities of provincial and local governments with respect to SAR. Provide technical support and information for SAR conservation plans and development proposals. 11. WG Recommendations: Awareness cont. Great Basin Spadefoot Edith s Checkerspot, taylori subspecies silver hair moss How LG and UBCM can help to protect SAR Include SAR information on their websites (e.g. case studies, pilot projects, incentives, partnerships) Work with local conservation organizations to educate the public about SAR. Share information on examples of successful community approaches. Offer Community Excellence Award for protection of SAR. Identify important habitats in regional growth strategies, official community plans, and development permit areas. Require developers to follow guidelines and best practises. 12 6
Greater Sage-grouse tall bugbane Pallid Bat Next Steps Broaden discussion among LG in the interest of creating strategic recommendations with broadest support possible. Communicate these to government executive to guide approach to protection of SAR. Keep communication open via the SAR Local Government Working Group. Seek opportunities, within WG, to pilot collaborative projects, consistent with the direction of the discussion paper. 13 yellow montane violet Badger Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog Getting Involved 1. Review the discussion paper & provide comments. 2. Invite a discussion within your own council or organization. 3. Contact our presenters here today, or other members of the Working Group. 4. Join the SAR Local Government Working Group. Contact: James.Quayle@gov.bc.ca and Jennifer.Heron@gov.bc.ca 14 7
Dun Skipper Sharp-tailed Snake Enos Lake Limnetic Stickleback Questions & Discussion 15 8