Overview of the Federal Recovery Strategy for Whitebark Pine in Canada Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation WPEF) 2014 Science Meeting Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Kella Sadler, Senior Species at Risk Biologist Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service Species at Risk Recovery Unit Pacific & Yukon Region September 19, 2014 © Kella Sadler Photo: Kella Sadler

Outline & Objectives Share general information with you about the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the listing/recovery planning processes in Canada Share information with you about the draft federal recovery strategy for Whitebark Pine in Canada Seek additional input and advice to best inform the recovery strategy and recovery planning for Whitebark Pine in Canada

Environment Canada’s SARA S.1 Requirements – Recovery Strategies A Recovery Strategy (RS) document must be prepared for species listed under Schedule 1 as Threatened, Endangered, or Extirpated Recovery strategies provide direction for recovery of SARA-listed species: –Identifies what needs to be done to arrest or reverse the decline of a species. –Sets goals and objectives and identifies the main areas of activities to be undertaken. –Must include specific components…

SARA Recovery Strategy Contents 1. Recovery Feasibility Summary 2. COSEWIC Species Assessment Information 3. Species Status Information 4. Species Information 5. Threats 6. Population and Distribution Objectives 7. Broad Strategies and General Approaches to Meet Objectives 8. Critical Habitat Identification of critical habitat Activities Likely to Result in the Destruction of critical habitat Schedule of Studies 9. Measuring Progress 10. Statement on Action Plans Closely linked

SARA Recovery Strategy Consultation SARA Section 39(3): “To the extent possible, the recovery strategy must be prepared in consultation with any landowners and other persons whom the competent minister considers to be directly affected by the recovery strategy, including the government of any other country in which the species is found.”  Recovery actions taken for Whitebark Pine in Canada (including implementation of broad strategies and general approaches to meet objectives, and protection of critical habitat) are likely to have direct effects on the success of species’ survival and recovery in the United States of America (and vice versa!).

 Definition: “The habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species.”  Identified as: Geospatial area within which critical habitat is found (typically represented by a polygon) plus a definition of biophysical attributes within those areas that together comprise the identification; i.e., critical habitat is identified wherever those biophysical attributes are found, within the geospatial area indicated.  Represents: Critical habitat must be identified to the extent possible, given time constraints (SARA deadlines), and based on the best information that is available at the time. Recovery strategies (including critical habitat identification) may be amended at any time in the future, e.g. to reflect best available information. Critical Habitat (CH) Identification

Whitebark Pine (WBP) Recovery Planning Update Photo: Kella Sadler

Status of Federal Recovery Planning 2010: Assessed as “Endangered” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 2012: Added to SARA Schedule 1 listing as “Endangered”, triggering requirement to develop Recovery Strategy : Recovery planning underway, federal recovery strategy (led by EC-CWS Pacific & Yukon Region) is in development in cooperation with EC-CWS Prairie & Northern Region, Parks Canada Agency, appropriate Aboriginal organizations, and the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta FUTURE: Posting to the SARA Public Registry ( is expected in the fiscal year. Consultation with directly affected parties is ongoing, and will continue towards finalization.

Four main components:  Needs for survival (e.g. root area, ectomycorrhizal associations, specific soil attributes – physological tolerance)  Needs for seed dispersal (dependence on Clark’s Nutcracker)  Needs for regeneration (habitat and microsites for germination, seedlings)  Needs for recovery (research and restoration – e.g. identify and propogate rust resistant individuals) Species’ Needs Photo: Photo: Kella Sadler Photo: helenair.com Photo:

4 main threats: White Pine Blister Rust, Mountain Pine Beetle, fire and fire suppression, and climate change Main Threats in Canada Photo: Photo by Alan Dibb, Parks Canada Photo: Kella Sadler Tim Gage (Creative Commons) Mountain Pine Beetle effects

The population and distribution objective for Whitebark Pine in Canada is:  To maintain and/or restore the population and distribution of Whitebark Pine to a level that allows for persistence of natural seed dispersal, stand densities, and genetic diversity, ensuring perpetuation of the species throughout its known and potential range in Canada. Photo: Kella Sadler Photo: Keefer Ecological ServicesPhoto: Photo: Cone collecting Nursery propagation Marking trees, insect deterrents Prescribed burn Replanted burn

Critical Habitat for Whitebark Pine Candidate critical habitat for Whitebark Pine will be identified to address the species’ needs, based on best available information about:  Known range of Whitebark Pine in Canada  Species needs: ▪ Habitat for survival (habitat supporting individuals – e.g. 30 m radius) ▪ Habitat for seed dispersal (Whitebark Pine stand densities that are required to support Clark’s Nutcracker – e.g. 2 m 2 /ha) ▪ Habitat for regeneration (e.g., natural open and/or recently logged sites, recent burns; habitats deliberately prepared for and/or replanted with WBP seedlings; consider CN average dispersal distance of 2 km) ▪ Habitat for recovery (e.g., research plots to identify rust-resistant individuals)

Distribution in Canada (General) Most of WBP global range is in Canada BC estimated to have 76% of the Canadian range; 24% in AB Area of occupancy in Canada may be underestimated due to poor mapping & remote occurrences high elevation habitat (subalpine, treeline)

Known Range in Canada (Detailed)  The detailed boundaries of known range have been drafted using the best available information about where Whitebark Pine is known to occur.  All landscape inventory polygons that have Whitebark Pine indicated as a vegetation component (in the label or in the polygon descriptor) were selected, overlapped and merged.  Next step: Incorporating what we know about species’ needs…

Identification of Candidate CH for WBP:

Candidate CH: Example Identification

Schedule of Studies: What do we need to do to complete the CH ID? Reconsider the population and distribution objective: “To maintain and/or restore the population and distribution of Whitebark Pine to a level that allows for persistence of natural seed dispersal, stand densities, and genetic diversity, ensuring perpetuation of the species throughout its known and potential range in Canada.” What information is needed to complete the critical habitat identification?

Schedule of Studies: What do we need to do to complete the CH ID? ActivityRationale Inventory to identify the full extent of current range and area of occupancy of WBP that is unknown due to insufficient spatial information. The “known” range as identified in the candidate critical habitat section likely underestimates the full range that WBP potentially occupies at present time. Inventory and studies to identify the future potential range of WBP that is unknown due to insufficient knowledge of projected climate change impacts. Current information on impacts of climate change is inadequate to identify habitats which may become suitable under projected climate change scenarios, which suitable areas are unoccupied, and whether there are any barriers to new occupation. Research on the composition, density, and structure of WBP stands necessary for long term persistence and maintenance of genetic diversity across the species’ range. There is inadequate information about the significance of variable WBP stand densities across the landscape, and their relative importance to seed dispersal or stand resilience under stressors. As populations decline, need to know what densities are required on the landscape to ensure long-term genetic diversity and connectivity.

Example Activities Likely to Result in the Destruction of Critical Habitat  Development and conversion of lands to industrial, recreational, or commercial properties  Forest harvest activities and/or recreational development activities that impact seed dispersal and/or survival habitat  Deliberately planting seedlings that may compete with Whitebark Pine in Whitebark Pine critical habitat; particluarly Lodgepole Pine seedlings  Inappropriate fire management related to fire suppression including: fire suppression in mixed seral stands  Inappropriate fire management related to allowing large scale fires in high-density or high-elevation WBP stands and/or where there is inadequate protection of survival and/or seed dispersal habitat  Off-road operation of motorized vehicles and inappropriate levels of livestock grazing.

Activities Resulting in Destruction & Example Landscape Management  Identify and avoid seed dispersal habitat ( ≥ 2 m 2 /ha basal area WBP)  Identify regeneration habitat; replant with WBP in high proportion: avoid competitive species/seedlings (particularly Lodgepole Pine)  Avoid wildfire spreading into high-density WBP habitat  In lower-density stands (< 2 m 2 /ha basal area), identify and avoid WBP survival habitat (30 m radius around individuals).  In lower-density stands, prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, or creation of suitable openings including forest harvest (outside of survival habitat) are not considered ALTD, and may benefit the species  In lower-density stands, identify and protect WBP survival habitat during prescribed burns  Mitigate spread of noxious weeds (limit soil disturbance, clean equipment)  Manage access for off-road vehicles and foot traffic  Avoid or mitigate projected effects of livestock in range management plans  Use WBP in mining reclamation where appropriate

Background Information - Canada Recovery Strategy for Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) in Canada [Draft]: COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Whitebark Pine Pinus albicaulis in Canada: Parks Canada Whitebark Pine Page: Province of Alberta Recovery Plan for Whitebark Pine: web-resources/plants/documents/SAR-WhitebarkPineRecoveryPlan-Jan pdf web-resources/plants/documents/SAR-WhitebarkPineRecoveryPlan-Jan pdf Province of BC Whitebark Pine Profile Page:

Thank you! Any Questions? Kella Sadler Senior Species at Risk Biologist | Biologiste principal, espèces en péril Species at Risk Recovery Unit | Unité de rétablissement des espèces en péril Canadian Wildlife Service | Service canadien de la faune Environment Canada | Environnement Canada Pacific and Yukon Region | Région du Pacifique et du Yukon 5421 Robertson Road | 5421 rue Robertson Delta, BC, V4K 3N2 | Delta, C-B, V4K 3N2 Telephone | Téléphone Mobile | Portable Facsimile | Télécopieur