Progress Towards Implementation of the Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for Sable Island Sweat Bee

2025

Species at Risk Act
Recovery Document Report Series

On this page

• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Progress Towards Meeting Objectives
• Implementation of the Recovery Document
• Critical Habitat Studies
• Spotlight
• Socio-economic Impacts
• Conclusion
• References

Preface

The Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) requires the competent minister(s) to report on the implementation of recovery documents (recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans) for species at risk and progress towards meeting their objectives (s.46, 55, and 72).

Under SARA, the minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency is the competent minister for individuals occurring in Parks Canada administered places and therefore has prepared this progress report.

Reporting on the progress towards the implementation of recovery documents includes reporting on the collective efforts of the competent minister(s), Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial governments, and all other parties involved in carrying out activities that contribute to the species’ conservation and recovery.

As stated in the preamble to SARA, success in the conservation and recovery of species at risk depends on the commitment and cooperation of many contributors and will not be achieved by Parks Canada or any other jurisdiction alone. All members of the public are invited to join in supporting implementation of this recovery document for the benefit of the species and of society.

Acknowledgements

The progress described in this report would not have been achieved without the partnerships and contributions of the Nuji Kelo’toqatijik Earth Keepers, coordinated through the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, Dr. Miram Richards of Brock University and students, John Klymko of the Atlantic Conservation Data Center, and Zoe Lucas of the Sable Island Institute.

Introduction

The Sable Island Sweat Bee was listed as Threatened in Schedule 1 of SARA in 2018. The species occurs in Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada (SINPR). Parks Canada published the final Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Sable Island Sweat Bee in 2020. This report addresses progress made in implementing the document between 2020 and 2025. This progress report is part of a series of documents for this species that should be taken into consideration together, including the recovery strategy and action plan. Refer to the Sable Island Sweat Bee on the Species at Risk Public Registry for more information and related documents.

Progress Towards Meeting Objectives

The recovery strategy and action plan identified one population and distribution objective for the recovery of the species. An update on the progress made towards meeting this objective, and thereby also the ecological impacts of the action plan, is provided below.

Progress towards meeting recovery document objectives is categorized based on methods used to report on species at risk population trends for the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program. CESI species at risk population trend indicators show whether the population and distribution trends of species at risk are consistent with the objectives set out in recovery strategies or management plans. Results should be interpreted with caution because it can take many years to show progress towards meeting population and distribution objectives, for example, due to the time needed for species to respond to recovery measures and for the collection and assessment of population and distribution information.

A category is not assigned to objectives that are not measurable or that do not target either the population or distribution of the species, for example, objectives focusing on survival, long-term viability, maintaining or protecting habitat, confirming presence etc.

Maintain a stable population of Sable Island Sweat Bee distributed across its 2019 area of occupancy^{Footnote 1}: Insufficient information

The performance indicator for the objective, as outlined in the recovery strategy and action plan, is ‘No significant observed or inferred decline in the species’ occupied habitat (area of occupancy)(from 2019 baseline) by 2025’.

Due to resource and methodological challenges with transitioning to a non-lethal sampling strategy for the species, no systematic survey was undertaken across the area of occupied habitat. As such there is insufficient information to indicate an observed or inferred decline at that scale.

Given that no new nesting aggregations have been discovered, the area of nesting habitat has not meaningfully changed from 2019 to 2025. Nesting activity at the known nesting areas at Main Station has remained constant throughout this period, though there may be evidence of reduced activity in 2025 (Z. Lucas, pers. comm.).

Implementation of the Recovery Document

The recovery strategy and action plan identified 12 measures nested under six broad approaches for the recovery of the species. An update on the status (complete, in progress, not started, or cancelled^{Footnote 2}) of each measure and related activities undertaken during the reporting period is provided below. Overall status of the implementation of measures are: 5 completed, 4 in progress and 3 have not yet been started.

Critical Habitat Studies

The recovery strategy and action plan included five studies to complete the identification of critical habitat for the species. An update on the status (complete, in progress, not started, or cancelled^{Footnote 3}) of each study and activities undertaken during the reporting period is provided below: 1 completed, 3 in progress, 1 not started.

Surveys to better understand nesting habitat requirements: In progress

There was a need to understand if nesting habitat was limiting and could be described and mapped. Surveys have been carried out annually to locate additional nesting aggregations outside Main Station. Surveys involved observing areas of theoretically suitable habitat on days when Sable Island Sweat Bees were active, often over multiple days. Despite surveying (> 60 person days of effort over five years, Figure 1) many areas of similar habitat, only three individual nests have been located. 

Research to better understand nesting biology, life history and social structure: Complete

A study of the nesting biology, life history and social structure was completed at the Main Station aggregation that provided a baseline understanding, and led to the publication of an article in the scientific literature: Phenology and social status of the endemic Sable Island Sweat Bee, Lasioglossum sablense | Journal of Melittology (Richards et al. 2024).

Map distribution of floral resources: In progress

Three surveys were undertaken at three different times of the year to understand the timing and distribution of floral resources on the island. This information will be used as part of a broader habitat classification initiative (underway) that will eventually be able to map areas of high resource availability which could theoretically become critical habitat, especially if paired with known nesting sites. 

Develop a habitat selection model using presence/absence data to better characterize foraging/nesting habitat requirements (i.e., examine biophysical attributes of occurrence or nesting sites): Not started

This initiative is designed to develop an understanding of nesting habitat that would help in predictive efforts to locate nesting habitat. The current nesting aggregations are all in a highly human-modified landscape and hence not useful for predicting nesting habitat outside the Main Station. Planning is underway to develop new methods for finding nesting sites outside the Main Station. This work is pending the discovery of additional nesting sites

Identify areas of population aggregates: In progress

As part of the surveys to better understand nesting habitat requirements (critical habitat study #1), we searched for nesting aggregations outside of the known aggregations at Main Station. To date, no new aggregations have been found for the Sable Island Sweat Bee, but many were discovered for the Nova Socita Sweat Bee. These data would have been important in developing additional critical habitat, as well as serving as index sites for population monitoring. See the response to critical habitat study #1 for an update on progress.

Spotlight

Implementing the recovery strategy and action plan provided an opportunity to work collaboratively with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, in response to interest expressed during consultation on the draft recovery strategy and action plan. Through the network of Nuji Kelo’toqatijik Earth Keepers, Mi’kmaq community members made several multi-day field visits to Sable Island National Park Reserve. Working alongside Parks Canada staff, Earth Keepers helped collect important data, shared knowledge about stewarding the Sable Island Sweat Bee and other species, and created meaningful connections to the place. Two short videos were produced based on this work, one by the Earth Keepers, and a second by Parks Canada. These two videos help raise awareness about the Sable Island Sweat Bee across Canada and highlight the collaborative work between Indigenous partners and Parks Canada. 

Socio-economic Impacts

The socio-economic evaluation in the Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Sable Island Sweat Bee presented the forecasted costs and benefits as a result of implementation of the action plan.

Financial costs to implement the action plan from 2020 to 2025 were borne by Parks Canada out of existing salaries and budgets. This includes incremental salaries, materials, equipment, and contracting of professional services for the implementation of recovery measures and critical habitat studies. These measures were integrated into the operational management of Sable Island National Park Reserve and there were no new costs to the public. Additional in-kind support was provided by Dr. Miriam Richards, Brock University.

No major socio-economic costs to Indigenous rights-holders or interest groups, partners, or the public resulted from implementation of this action plan in the period from 2020 to 2025. The range of the Sable Island Sweat Bee is limited to Sable Island National Park Reserve; as a result, implementation of this plan did not bring any restrictions to land use outside the park. Minor restrictions were placed on visitor activities within the park to protect the species (e.g., best management practices; restricted access to certain areas of the park to protect sensitive habitat and research areas).

Implementation of measures for Sable Island Sweat Bee contributed towards meeting population and distribution objectives and desired outcomes for the threatened species. These measures had an overall positive impact on ecological integrity of the park reserve and enhanced opportunities for visitor appreciation of the site and the species living there. Implementation of measures in this action plan also likely resulted in benefits to Canadians, such as positive impacts on biodiversity and the value individuals place on preserving biodiversity.

Some measures in the plan created opportunities for visitors to learn about and become involved in the recovery of species at risk. The action plan also enabled cooperation and partnerships with Indigenous rights-holders, scientists and interest groups.

Potential economic benefits of the recovery of the species at risk found in these sites cannot be easily quantified, as many of the values derived from wildlife are non-market commodities that are difficult to appraise in financial terms. Wildlife, in all its forms, has value in and of itself, and is valued by Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, economic, medical, ecological and scientific reasons. The conservation of wildlife at risk is an important component of the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserving biological diversity and is important to Canada’s current and future economic and natural wealth.

Overall, from 2020-2025, implementation of the measures proposed in the action plan had limited socio-economic costs. Financial costs of implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada. Other costs such as restrictions on visitor activities were minimal. Benefits included positive impacts on park ecological integrity, greater awareness of species and enhanced opportunities for engagement and involvement of Indigenous groups, visitors, and other partners.

Conclusion

Parks Canada remains committed to the conservation and recovery of species at risk occurring in it’s administered places. The work that has been implemented to date has built a strong foundation for the continued protection and management of the Sable Island Sweat Bee and other species of conservation concern at Sable Island National Park Reserve. Parks Canada and its partners will continue to work towards the achievement of population and distribution objectives for species at risk in collaboration with stakeholders and the public.

Over the past five years, Parks Canada has been able to complete and make progress on a number of recovery measures and critical habitat studies laid out in the recovery strategy and action plan. Through these efforts, we have learned some foundational information about the basic biology of this species that will guide conservation efforts.

Sable Island National Park Reserve is a challenging site to work, given the cost and difficulty of access, and limited accommodations. In addition, the first two years of implementation were particularly challenging due to restrictions on accessing and working at this site linked to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of what was learned is that the biology of this species presents some significant obstacles in recovery efforts. These bees are very small and their nests are extremely cryptic, making it very difficult to survey. The bees are generally only active on fair weather days (absent rain, fog and wind and with sufficient sunlight or warm air temperatures) but not active on every favourable day. Moreover, the second sweat bee species on the island (Lasioglossum novascotiae) is indistinguishable from the Sable Island Sweat Bee to the naked eye.

The foundational distribution data on Sable Island National Park Reserve were obtained via lethal sampling; a very effective method, but now currently difficult to justify. Much of the implementation report period was devoted to developing alternative methods to locate bees and nests. We developed a technique to field identify individuals and to study known nesting aggregations. However, these techniques were not effective in expanding our ability to locate individuals and nests outside the known aggregations at Main Station, at least not given current resource levels, and the potential risk to the population from wide-scale handling of individuals. 

In the continuing implementation of the recovery strategy and action plan, we will investigate new methods and/or consider securing additional resources to help address these identified challenges.

References

Colville, D., Reeves, B., Ure, D., Livingstone, B. and H. Stewart. 2016. Mapping the topography and land cover of Sable Island. Proceedings of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 48(2):285-307.

Land Needs Guardians. May 23, 2023. Protecting Endemic Species Using Indigenous Knowledge with the Nuji Kelo’toqatijik Earth Keepers, [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9sbJWqeKVY&t=1s.

Parks Canada Agency. 2020. Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Sable Island Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum sablense) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. viii + 26 pp.

Parks Canada. Oct 19, 2024. Sweat Bees and Stories | Field Notes, [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjgD4miA_Iw&t=11s.

Richards, M. H., Lucas, Z., Proulx, A., Corbin, L., Jacks, F. and Kehler, D. 2024. Phenology and social status of the endemic Sable Island Sweat Bee, Lasioglossum sablense. Journal of Melittology, 124. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.vi124.22513.

Date modified :

2025-11-17