Endangered species

In Canada, due to the loss and degradation of habitats, overexploitation and climate change, hundreds of floral and faunal species are sooner or later in the danger of disappearing. The fear that draws the loss of wildlife species is not new. First Nations, scientists, farmers, breeders, fisherman and people that are interested in nature have noticed and documented for many years the disappearance of plants and animals in certain regions. Understanding the problem linked with the loss of biodiversity and conscious to reduce its causes, First Nations and the Government of Quebec and Canada have all adopted laws aiming to protect the species at risk and their habitat.

These laws have as an objective to avoid the disappearance of fauna and flora at risk, threatened or vulnerable, assure the conservation or their habitats, restore their populations and their habitats and avoid that a species does not become more at risk or threatened.

The SARA acknowledges the great knowledge and experience that First Nation possess and requires that traditional knowledge be taken into consideration when COSEWIC evaluates the situation of a species. SARA also recognizes that the collaboration with concerned First Nations for the elaboration of a planning document for the recovery of a species or for habitat protection measures is essential.

The FNQLSDI has the mandate to raise awareness and help First Nations develop their knowledge concerning species at risk and to help and direct them in the development of their projects. This can be done by creating events or workshops, by transferring available data or by any other means possible.