Species at Risk in the Classroom SCCP - The South Coast Conservation Program

“The SCCP: A multi partner conservation program helping facilitate projects and activities to restore and protect species and ecological communities at risk on the South Coast of B.C.”

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Outline About the SCCP Some background on “SEAR” Issues for the South Coast Why the classroom?

SARitc materials Questions

SCCP history and objectives

•Established in 2005 •Multi-partner or “joint venture” approach (senior agencies, stewardship groups, industry, academia, First Nations) •Facilitates implementation of sound conservation and management tools for species and ecosystems at risk.

•Works at a landscape (‘eco-regional’) level across the South Coast of British Columbia.

•Public & private lands

Red:

Includes any indigenous species or subspecies that have - or are candidates for- Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened status in BC

Blue:

Includes any indigenous species or subspecies considered to be of Special Concern (formerly Vulnerable) in British Columbia.

Yellow:

Includes species that are apparently secure and not at risk of extinction. Yellow-listed species may have Red- or Blue-listed subspecies.

COSEWIC Rankings

Act (SARA) rankings*: these are generally the same as Species at Risk

E = ENDANGERED:

A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

T = THREATENED:

A species that is likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

SC = SPECIAL CONCERN:

A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it is particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.

XT

= Extirpated taxa no longer exist in the wild in British Columbia, but do occur elsewhere.

NAR = NOT AT RISK:

A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk.

DD = DATA DEFICIENT:

A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.

South Coast Stats:

Red: 98 includes XT: 3 WePT, Gopher Snake, PUOR (soon to be 4?) Blue: 177 Ecosystems at Risk: 3 to start* Coastal Sand Ecosystems, Coastal Douglas Fir, Wetlands Identified Wildlife (under FRPA): 20 BC Wildlife Act: 0!!!!

COSEWIC Ranked: 69 SARA Listed (T-E): 59 MBCA: 14 (5 are SARA listed) CITES: 17 (7 are SARA listed) Number of SARA listed species on the South Coast with published recovery strategies: 17 (includes XT) *does not mean these are protected

The region’s at risk statistics

Competition for space is tight!

The South Coast – nearly 2 million people and rising

Understanding threats!

Getting the word out

Why the Classroom?

Increasing disconnect of youth from the natural world (“Nature Deficit Disorder”) Lack of available tools and resources to BC educators on local endangered species education. No rules or guidelines within formal education system over use of live animals for curriculum.

Many schools have complementary programs (e.g. Salmonids in the Classroom) but not a focus on biodiversity or SEAR Connections to local conservation, greening and restoration efforts (Streamkeepers or naturalist groups), invasive plant management programs already exist.

Species at Risk in the Classroom

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‘Guidebook’ is the anchor document Background on legal and public efforts for SEAR conservation First Nations perspectives on SEAR (i.e. Stó:lō peoples as part of broader Coast Salish history

First module to accompany the guidebook has been developed: Amphibians and Reptiles

Linkages to present provincial curriculum is provided as well as information on where to go for further information on other related resources and organizations

Next Steps: Funded for continued work on modules and literature resources for 2013-2015 (Federal Habitat Stewardship Program funding)

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2013 (underway): Module #2 (multi-species) Second Storybook Pilot with formal and informal education partners to implement in education and conservation/stewardship networks locally.

Get storybooks available through POD system online.

Apply for funding to supplement concept implementation and work with a handful of schools to undertake a complementary restoration project with a SEAR focus 2014: Module #3 - theme will potentially focus on ecological communities at risk

We share our neighbourhoods with an incredible diversity of endangered species – the best way to protect them is to know they are there in the first place!

Questions ?

Learn More at: www.sccp.ca

Like us on Facebook Check out our factsheets at: http://www.geog.u

bc.ca/biodiversity/f actsheets/