Implementation Report: Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada (2017-2022)

On this page

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Executive Summary
• 1. Context
• 2. Implementation of the action plan
• 3. Action plan highlights
• 4. Ecological impacts
• 5. Socio-economic impacts

Preface

The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996)^{Footnote 2} agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), action plans outline measures that will be taken to implement recovery strategies for SARA-listed Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species. Parks Canada's multi-species action plans address a suite of species of conservation concern within one or more Parks Canada managed areas, including species that require an action plan under SARA.

The Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency (the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change) is the competent minister under SARA for species found in Pukaskwa National Park of Canada, and in 2017 published the Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada.

Under section 55 of SARA, the competent minister must monitor the implementation of an action plan and the progress towards meeting its objectives, and assess and report on its implementation and its ecological and socio-economic impacts five years after the action plan comes into effect. A copy of the report must be included in the Species at Risk Public Registry. The Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency has prepared this Implementation Report: Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada (2017-2022).

The achievement of population and distribution objectives identified within the recovery strategy or management plan for a species may require a long time frame. In these cases, a five-year reporting window may not be sufficient to show demonstrable progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives identified for that species within a Parks Canada site-based action plan. Parks Canada monitors, evaluates and, as necessary, adapts measures taken to achieve species survival or recovery, and will report on progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives every five years.

Acknowledgments

Parks Canada would also like to acknowledge those who have contributed to the implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada.

Numerous partners and individuals provided expertise and assistance in the implementation of the action plan. Thanks are extended to individuals from: Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre; Myotistar; Natural Resource Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Biigtigong Nishnaabeg; Project Peregrine – Thunder Bay Field Naturalists; Trent University – Natural Resources DNA Profiling & Forensic Centre; and United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
In addition to the above partners, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of every person who visits Pukaskwa National Park. From avid volunteers who participate in our work, to campers and hikers who seek to learn more about the land and its history. Every visitor takes away precious memories and a greater appreciation for natural systems and wildlife, thereby contributing to goals of conservation for future generations.

Thank you, Merci, Miigwech.

Executive Summary

This document reports on implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada between 2017 and 2022. It reports on implementation of measures identified in the plan, assesses progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives, and evaluates socio-economic impacts.

Species Addressed^{Footnote 3}
The action plan addressed 13 SARA-listed species and two species of conservation concern. Measures and site-based population and distribution objectives identified within the action plan were focused on 6 species, for which management actions within Pukaskwa National Park could have a substantive impact on species survival or recovery: Canada Warbler, Common Nighthawk, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, Lake Sturgeon, and Pitcher's Thistle.
 

Implementation of the action plan
8 measures (recovery actions) were identified in the multi-species action plan. Implementation of the action plan is assessed by determining progress towards completing each measure, and is outlined in Section 2 of this report. During the five-year period, all committed measures were initiated^{Footnote 5} and completed. An additional 8 measures were identified in the action plan if resources and/or partnerships became available to support the work. Resources became available for 5 measures.

Ecological impacts
Site-based population and distribution objectives (PDOs) were developed for 6 species in the action plan. Ecological impacts are assessed by measuring progress towards achieving each of the site-based population and distribution objectives and are outlined in section 4. Progress was made on objectives^{Footnote 6} for 3 species including 2 species for which the objectives were fully met.

Socio-economic Impacts
Direct costs of implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada. Indirect costs were mainly through minor visitor restrictions to certain areas of the park to protect Pitcher's Thistle colonies. Benefits included positive impacts on park ecological integrity, greater awareness of species and enhanced opportunities for engagement.

1. Context

This document reports on implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada^{Footnote 7} between 2017 and 2022, assesses progress towards meeting its population and distribution objectives, and evaluates its socio-economic impacts. It addresses 15 species, including 7 SARA-listed Endangered and Threatened species (for which an action plan is required) as well as 6 SARA-listed Special Concern species^{Footnote 8}. Lake Sturgeon (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence) and Shortjaw Cisco are included in this action plan as they are species of conservation concern.

Site-based population and distribution objectives were developed for 6 species for which implementation measures within Pukaskwa National Park could have a substantive impact on recovery: Canada Warbler, Common Nighthawk, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, Lake Sturgeon, and Pitcher's Thistle.

2. Implementation of the action plan

Implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Pukaskwa National Park of Canada is assessed by measuring progress towards completing the recovery measures identified in the action plan (Table 1). Refer to the original action plan for a description of each measure, the desired outcomes, and the threats that each measure addresses.

In 2020 and 2021, there were several restrictions put in place at Pukaskwa National Park to combat the spread of COVID-19, including temporary restriction of park management activities. This impacted the ability of the park to complete the implementation of some parts of the action plan. For example, restrictions directly  affected the park's ability to complete live-trapping surveys for Snapping Turtles.

Additional measures were identified in the action plan that would be beneficial to complete should resources become available. Table 2 describes the actions that Pukaskwa National Park was able to initiate between 2017 and 2022. Measures from the action plan that were not initiated will be considered in the next action plan.

3. Action plan highlight

Pitcher's Thistle Restoration

Pukaskwa National Park's unique coastal dune habitat is home to the northernmost populations of Pitcher's Thistle in Canada. To ensure this unique species will survive for generations to come, the park implemented a restoration project in 2013 that is ongoing today. This project involves two key components: species recovery and public education.

The Pitcher's Thistle restoration project includes a visitor centre exhibit, interpretive signage, exclusion rope to protect sensitive dune habitat and plants, continued annual monitoring, assisted seed dispersal at two restoration colonies, and use of an unmanned aerial vehicle to accurately map colony extent.

The park met national objectives by continuing to maintain the Oiseau Bay and Hattie Cove populations, and exceeded site objectives (800 plants by 2021) by reaching a total of 1,476 plants in 2021 at four sites. Furthermore, three flowering plants were counted for the first time in 2021 at the Oiseau Bay restoration colonies, marking a possible turning point towards two new self-sustaining colonies.

4. Ecological impacts

Ecological impacts of the action plan are assessed by measuring progress towards meeting the site-based population and distribution objectives described in the action plan (Table 3). See the original action plan for national Population and Distribution Objectives (where available) and General Information and Broad Park Approach for each species.

5. Socio-economic impacts

The Species at Risk Act requires the responsible federal minister to report on the socio-economic costs of the multi-species action plan and the benefits derived from its implementation. The MSAP only applies to protected lands and waters under the authority of the Parks Canada Agency, which are often subject to fewer threats (e.g., industrial activities) compared to other areas as the lands are managed to preserve ecological and commemorative integrity. This section does not include socio-economic impacts of existing permitted activities that may be occurring in Parks Canada places as those have been addressed through other processes (e.g., impact assessments). This socio-economic assessment is narrow in scope, as it is focused on the measures implemented within the action plan, and primarily focuses on Indigenous partners, leaseholders, licensees, residents and visitors. The overall socio-economic impacts of the multi-species action plan for Pukaskwa National Park, described as costs and benefits, are outlined below.

Costs

The majority of costs to implement this action plan were borne by Parks Canada out of existing salaries and goods and services dollars. This includes incremental salary costs, materials, equipment, and contracting of professional services for measures outlined in Appendix B (Conservation and recovery measures that will be conducted by Pukaskwa National Park) and Appendix C (Other recovery measures that will be encouraged through partnerships or when additional resources become available) of the action plan. No major socio-economic costs to partners, stakeholders or Indigenous groups were incurred as a result of this action plan. Additional resources and partnership were provided by:

• Project Peregrine – Thunder Bay Field Naturalists helped band Peregrine Falcon chicks in 2018
• The Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre conducted the third 5-year cycle of the Lake Sturgeon Index Survey in Pukaskwa National Park in 2021
• Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry collaborated with Pukaskwa National Park on the assessment of Woodland Caribou genetics in the park and the Lake Superior region

Action plan measures were integrated into the operational management of Pukaskwa National Park and did not result in extra costs over the 5 years. These costs to the Parks Canada Agency were covered by prioritization of existing funds and salary dollars and did not result in additional costs to society.
The action plan applies only to lands and waters in Pukaskwa National Park, and did not bring any restrictions to land use outside the national park. As such, this action plan placed no additional socio-economic costs on the public. However, some restrictions were placed on visitors to Pukaskwa National Park. To protect and recover Pitcher's Thistle colonies, exclusion rope was installed with interpretive signage along a portion of Middle Beach and Oiseau Creek to prevent visitor travel from damaging sensitive dune habitat. In addition, national park staff temporarily restricted access to all Pitcher's Thistle colonies while unmanned aerial vehicle imagery was being collected each summer.

Benefits

Measures presented in this action plan for Pukaskwa National Park contributed to meeting recovery / population and distribution objectives for Threatened and Endangered species, and also contributed to meeting management objectives for species of Special Concern. The measures sought a balanced approach to reducing or eliminating threats to at-risk populations and habitats, and included protection of individuals and their habitat (e.g., restrictions to human activities within areas occupied by the species, combined with ongoing research and monitoring), species restoration, and increasing public awareness and stewardship (e.g., signage, visitor programs, and highlights in communication media).

These measures had an overall positive impact on ecological integrity via protection of individuals and their habitats, and enhanced opportunities for appreciation of the sites and the species by visitors and the general public. Working with partners, staff contributed to building awareness on the decline of Little Brown Myotis populations affected by white-nose syndrome as well as building an awareness of the importance of monitoring to inform conservation priorities in Pukaskwa National Park, Canada and North America. Data and information collected from bat monitoring were shared with the North American Bat Monitoring Program to advance species conservation research, protection and planning. Measures taken as part of the action plan also provided benefits to other species of conservation concern that occur in Pukaskwa National Park such as habitat protection for Woodland Caribou. This action plan included measures that likely resulted in benefits to Canadians, such as positive impacts on biodiversity and the value individuals place on preserving biodiversity.

Potential economic benefits of the recovery of the species at risk found in Pukaskwa National Park cannot be easily quantified, as many of the values derived from wildlife and plants 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.

Implementing this action plan had positive benefits for park visitors, local residents, and Indigenous Peoples. Pukaskwa National Park welcomed a total of 63,376 visitors between 2017 and 2021, many of whom had visitor experience opportunities relating to the education and awareness of species at risk in the park. In 2018 and 2019, Pukaskwa National Park hosted public BioBlitz events to help collect valuable ecological species data, but also to create opportunities for meaningful experiences connecting people with nature and Parks Canada places. These efforts generated a total of 131 participants with over 200 species identified and submitted to citizen science programs such as iNaturalist and the Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre. In 2020, a species at risk mobile exhibit was developed to provide educational opportunities on Pukaskwa National Park's species at risk outside of the park. The exhibit was presented at two events in February 2020, with an estimated reach of 1050 individuals. In 2021, the exhibit was displayed at Pukaskwa National Park's Visitor Centre, where 4629 individuals had the opportunity to view the exhibit. Learning and work opportunities were supported with Biigtigong Nishnaabeg by involving a Band student to help with species at risk recovery and monitoring in Pukaskwa National Park.

Summary

Direct costs of implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada. Indirect costs were mainly through visitor restrictions to certain areas of the park to protect Pitcher's Thistle colonies. Benefits included positive impacts on park ecological integrity, greater awareness of species and enhanced opportunities for engagement.

Date modified :

2022-07-15