Species at Risk

Species at risk found in Kahnawà:ke and how to help with conservation.

Kahnawà:ke plays an important role in maintaining the biodiversity of our region. Kahnawà:ke is home to a high concentration of large natural ecosystems. Our community is home to a wide diversity of species, including species at risk that are now rare in the greater Tiohtià:ke area.

Kahnawà:ke Aerial Image

Intensive agriculture, urbanization and industrial activities occurring at the edges of our territory have always threatened SAR. With more increasing demand for development within the community there is more pressure than ever on Kahnawà:ke's ecosystems and species. Monitoring and protecting our species at risk is a core function of KEPO.

Species at Risk Designations

“Species at Risk” refers to plants or animals that have been given a special status because there is some risk that it may disappear from the wild. In Canada, it is used to apply to any species that is either threatened, endangered, extirpated, or of special concern.

  1. Special Concern: a wildlife species that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
  2. Threatened: a wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.
  3. Endangered: a wildlife species that is facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
  4. Extirpated: a wildlife species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere in the wild.

Quebec has a slightly different way to designate Species at Risk.

  1. Species that is susceptible of being designated threatened or vulnerable: species that have the potential of being designated threatened or vulnerable due to their preoccupying situation, either because of their restrained distribution, low population densities, or decline in their population.
  2. Vulnerable species: wildlife species whose survival is precarious, even though its disappearance is not expected yet.
  3. Threatened species: wildlife species whose disappearance is expected to take place.

Kahnawà:ke a home to a number of species currently listed as threatened, vulnerable or likely to be e designated. Familiarize yourself with these species and the ways in which you could help protect their populations. Sightings of these species can be reported to KEPO to assist with our monitoring and habitat protection efforts.  

Otsi’ten’okón:’a - Birds

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For more information on KEPO's efforts to support bird populations visit the link below.

Kentsonhshón:’a - Fish

For more information on KEPO's efforts to support aquatic habitats visit the link below.

Kontírio - Animals

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Ohonte’shón:’a - Plants

Plants are the first of the creations. From our medicines, foods, and trees, we depend on plants for the survival of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.

Plants and lichens together form the largest group of Species at Risk. Many plants considered to be rare in Quebec and Canada can be found in Kahnawà:ke. Since the 1990’s KEPO has been undertaking inventories of land around the community to locate rare species and develop plans for the protection of their habitats.

Threats to these species include habitat disturbance, development, over-harvesting, invasive species and climate change. If you have seen a rare plant such as those shown here or require assistance with identification, please contact KEPO.

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Kahnawà:ke Aerial Image