First Northwest Territories species at risk recovery strategy released

Press Release

YELLOWKNIFE (March 11, 2016) – The first recovery strategy for a threatened species in the Northwest Territories (NWT) was released this week.

The hairy braya is a rare flowering plant found only on the Cape Bathurst Peninsula and Baillie Island, NWT in the Inuvialuit Settlement Area.

This action fulfills Government of the Northwest Territories responsibilities under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act and follows independent assessments completed by the NTW Species at Risk Committee and a consensus agreement the Conference of Management Authorities.

The Conference of Management Authorities now has nine months to reach a consensus agreement on implementation of the recovery strategy.

The development of recovery strategies for species at risk support the 18^th Legislative Assembly’s priorities of environmental stewardship and encouraging coordination and effectiveness in resource management systems and recognizing traditional knowledge and land claims agreements.

Quote

“The NWT Hairy Braya Recovery Strategy is the first recovery strategy developed and approved under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act,” said the Minister. “It sets out a goal, objectives and recommended approaches for the conservation and recovery of hairy braya.”

– Wally Schumann, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

The hairy braya was added to the NWT Species at Risk List as a threatened species on February 27, 2014.
The plant is found nowhere else in the world.
It was assessed and listed as threatened because of its small range, shrinking range and declining populations.
The most serious threats to the hairy braya are rapid coastal erosion and the potential for storm surges to flood low-lying areas.
A recovery strategy for species listed as threatened in required under the Species at Risk NWT Act. It does not result in any automatic prohibitions or protections for the species or it habitat.
The recovery strategy was developed collaboratively by the partners involved in managing hairy braya, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NW), with input from Inuvialuit, hairy braya experts and the public.