Raincoast Applied Ecology | Species at Risk

Species at Risk

The federal Species at Risk Act has dramatically changed how rare species are protected in Canada. Raincoast Applied Ecology has worked on a range of rare species, including a genus of moths (Copablepharons) that are found in sand dunes and the arid grasslands of the southern Canadian prairies. We have worked extensively on rare butterflies on southeastern Vancouver Island, with emphasis on surveys, habitat assessment, and conservation planning for Taylor's Checkerspot. We have helped initiate multi-species recovery planning for coastal sand ecosystems (including sand dunes, sand beaches, and spits) in BC. Our work also includes conservation planning for other rare invertebrates such as Behr's (Columbia) Hairstreak, a butterfly in the south Okanagan, and Edward's Beach Moth, a rare moth found in the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound, as well as pink sand-verbena and Streaked Horned Lark.

Taylor's Checkerspot butterfly on Denman Island, BC.

Photo: Claudia Schaefer
www.schaeferimages.com

NEW! Conservation of Prairie-Oak Butterflies in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia
Published in Northwest Science 85 (by C.B. Schultz, E. Henry, A. Carleton, T. Hicks, R. Thomas, A. Potter, M. Collins, M. Linders, C. Fimbel, S. Black, H.E. Anderson, G. Diehl, S. Hamman, R. Gilbert, J. Foster, D. Hays, D. Wilderman, R. Davenport, E. Steel, N. Page, P.L. Lilley, J. Heron, N. Kroeker, C. Webb, and B. Reader, 2011). Download paper.

NEW! Status Report on Coastal Sand Ecosystems
Comprehensive review of the current knowledge about coastal sand ecosystems in BC. The report brings together data on the distribution, physical and ecological setting, status, and trends for coastal sand ecosystems in British Columbia as an initial step toward improving their conservation and management (for Coastal Sand Ecosystems Recovery Team by N. Page, P.L. Lilley, I.J. Walker, and R.G. Vennesland, 2011). Download status report.

NEW! Species at Risk in Garry Oak Ecosystems Manual Factsheets
Development of new and revised species accounts and occurrence maps for three butterfly and seven plant species at risk in Garry oak ecosystems (for Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2011). Download factsheets (denoted new or updated 2011).

NEW! Recovery Action Planning and Implementation for Species at Risk in Coastal Sand Ecosystems
Development of a draft multi-species recovery action plan for species at risk in coastal sand ecosystems, initial implementation of several recovery actions, and development of a recovery team website (for Coastal Sand Ecosystems Recovery Team by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2009–2011). Visit CSERT website.

Recovery Action Planning for Taylor’s Checkerspot, Island Marble, and Island Blue
Butterflies
Development of draft recovery action plans for three butterfly species at risk in the Georgia Basin (for Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team and BC Ministry of Environment by P. Lilley, N. Page, and J. Heron, 2009–2010).

City of Victoria Butterfly and Moth Survey (2009–2010)
Surveys of five City of Victoria Parks (Beacon Hill, Moss Rock, Banfield, Summit, and Topaz parks) for butterfly and moth species in May–August 2009 and May 2010. Report includes background information on the biology of butterflies in the City of Victoria, and recommendations for restoring butterfly populations in City parks (for City of Victoria Parks by N. Page, P. Lilley, and J. Miskelly, 2009–2010). Download report.

Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Rare Butterflies on Denman, Hornby, and Southeastern Vancouver Island
Planning and implementation of surveys and habitat assessments for Taylor’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) and other rare butterflies on Denman and Hornby islands, and southeastern Vancouver Island (for BC Ministry of Environment and Parks Canada by N. Page, P. Lilley, J. Heron, N. Kroeker, J. Miskelly, and M. Connolly, 2007–2010). Reports: Denman and Hornby Island survey (2007) | Helliwell vegetation assessment (2007) | Denman and Courtenay-Comox survey (2008) | Shawnigan Lake area survey (2008) | SE Vancouver Island survey (2009). Posters: Habitat assessment (2010).

Life History and Habitat Requirements of the Oregon Forestsnail, Allogona townsendiana (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Polygyridae), in a British Columbia Population
Published in Invertebrate Biology 128 (by K.M.M. Steensma, P.L. Lilley, and H.M. Zandberg, 2009). Download paper.

Draft Recovery Strategy for Sand-verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum) in British Columbia
Developed by the BC Terrestrial Invertebrates Recovery Team with assistance from Raincoast Applied Ecology (2006–2007). Download recovery strategy.

Sand-verbena Moth Recovery Research
Ongoing habitat research focusing on restoration of open sand dunes and establishment of yellow sand-verbena at two sites in the Georgia Basin. Funded by Endangered Species Recovery Fund (2004–2006). Download report. Download Sand-verbena Moth factsheet.

COSEWIC Status Report on Copablepharon fuscum (Sand-verbena Moth)
Report for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), Invertebrate Task Group. This report led to the designation of Sand-verbena Moth as endangered (N. Page, 2003). Download status report.

Video of Sand-Verbena Moth Feeding on Yellow Sand-Verbena
The unusual occurrence of Sand-verbena Moth feeding on its host-plant during the day. View video (2.7 mb).

COSEWIC Status Report on Anarta edwardsii (Edward's Beach Moth)
Report for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), Invertebrate Task Group on a rare moth found in beaches of the Georgia Basin (N. Page, 2006–2007). Download status report. Download status report.

COSEWIC Status Reports on Copablepharon longipenne (Dusky Dune Moth), Copablepharon grandis (Pale Yellow Dune Moth), and Copablepharon viridisparsa
Three reports for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), Invertebrate Task Group (N.A. Page, 2006–2007). Download status report on Dusky Dune Moth. Download status report on Pale Yellow Dune Moth.