Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid government response statement

Protecting and recovering species at risk in Ontario

Species at risk recovery is a key part of protecting Ontario’s biodiversity. Biodiversity – the variety of living organisms on Earth – provides us with clean air and water, food, fibre, medicine and other resources that we need to survive.

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) is the Government of Ontario’s legislative commitment to protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitats. As soon as a species is listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened under the ESA, it is automatically protected from harm or harassment. Also, immediately upon listing, the habitats of endangered and threatened species are protected from damage or destruction.

Under the ESA, the Ministry of Natural Resources (the Ministry) must ensure that a recovery strategy is prepared for each species that is listed as endangered or threatened. A recovery strategy provides science-based advice to government on what is required to achieve recovery of a species.

Government response statements

Within nine months after a recovery strategy is prepared, the ESA requires the Ministry to publish a statement summarizing the government’s intended actions and priorities in response to the recovery strategy. The recovery strategy for Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid was completed on February 18, 2010.

The response statement is the government’s policy response to the scientific advice provided in the recovery strategy. In addition to the strategy, the response statement is based on input from stakeholders, other jurisdictions, Aboriginal communities and members of the public. It reflects the best available traditional, local and scientific knowledge at this time and may be adapted if new information becomes available. In implementing the actions in the response statement, the ESA allows the Ministry to determine what is feasible, taking into account social and economic factors.

Moving forward to protect and recover Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid

The Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid is listed as an endangered species under the ESA which protects both the plant and its habitat. The Government of Ontario has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid by prescribing its specific habitat in regulation. The ESA prohibits any damage or destruction of that habitat without authorization. Such authorization would require that conditions established by the Ministry of Natural Resources be met.

Protecting and recovering species at risk is a shared responsibility. No single agency or organization has the knowledge, authority, or financial resources to protect and recover all of Ontario’s species at risk. Successful recovery requires inter-governmental co-operation and the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities.

In developing the government response statement, the Ministry considered what actions are feasible for the government to lead directly, and what actions are feasible for the government to support its conservation partners to undertake.

Government-supported actions

The government endorses the following actions as being necessary for the protection and recovery of the Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid. Actions which are noted as "high" will be given priority consideration for funding or for authorizations under the ESA. The government will focus its support on these high priority actions over the next five years.

Actions:

1. (High) Develop and implement management actions to improve populations and their habitat at existing locations, which may include prescribed burns and invasive species control. Evaluate the success of any management actions to inform future adaptive management approaches..
2. As opportunities arise, support the securement of habitat for Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid through existing land securement and stewardship programs.

Actions:

3. (High) Develop and implement a monitoring program to assess changes in populations and habitat over time.
4. Conduct surveys to locate new populations in areas that are considered to be suitable habitat.

Actions:

5. Conduct research to determine the effects of environmental changes such as fire, disturbance, and fluctuations of the water table on Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid. Also determine the current role of pollinators and the degree of genetic variation among the Ontario populations of this species. This research will inform recovery efforts and support adaptive management approaches.
6. Investigate the feasibility and appropriateness of reintroducing the species into historic habitat areas.

Implementing actions

Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program, or Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program. Conservation partners are encouraged to discuss project proposals related to the actions in this response statement with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ministry can also advise whether any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required for undertaking the project.

Implementation of the actions may be subject to changing priorities across the multitude of species at risk, available resources and the capacity of partners to undertake recovery activities. Where appropriate, the implementation of actions for multiple species will be co-ordinated across government response statements.

Reviewing progress

The ESA requires the Ministry to conduct a review of progress towards protecting and recovering a species not later than five years from the publication of this response statement. The review will help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the development of the "Recovery Strategy for the Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid in Ontario" for their dedication to protecting and recovering species at risk.