Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou): action plan summary

July 27, 2017

Pursuant to subsection 50(4) of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), this document summarizes what has been prepared to date with respect to an action plan for boreal caribou.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) posted the proposed Action Plan for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada – Federal Actions on the SAR Public Registry. This proposed Action Plan is partial at this time since it does not address all of the measures required in SARA. Fulfillment of these requirements would be accomplished as provinces and territories complete their range plans or similar documents, which can be adopted over time as subsequent action plans for the species.

The proposed Action Plan emphasizes that the recovery of this species requires unprecedented commitment, collaboration and cooperation among the various groups involved in boreal caribou conservation.  It outlines the recovery measures that the Government of Canada is taking or will take to help achieve recovery for boreal caribou, including in three key areas: 1) Science to support recovery, including the creation of the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium to enable governments, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders to regularly share information and lessons learned; 2) Recovery and protection activities, including section 11 agreements with provinces and territories and other interested parties as well as action on federal lands; and 3) Reporting on progress. 

In addition to this proposed Action Plan, Parks Canada Agency site-specific Action Plans that address boreal caribou conservation and recovery efforts on lands administered by the Agency can be found on the SAR Public Registry.

In the fall of 2017, ECCC intends to publish a report on the implementation of the 2012 boreal caribou Recovery Strategy on the SAR Public Registry, pursuant to SARA section 46.