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First NWT Species at Risk Recovery Strategy Released

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The first Northwest Territories (NWT) recovery strategy for a threatened species has been released. The hairy braya is a rare flowering plant found only on the Cape Bathurst Peninsula and Baillie Islands, NWT in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The NWT Hairy Braya Recovery Strategy sets out a goal, objectives and recommended approaches for the conservation and recovery of hairy braya.

This action fulfills Government of the Northwest Territories responsibilities under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act and follows an independent assessment completed by the NWT Species at Risk Committee and a consensus agreement submitted by 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.

Quick facts:

  • The hairy braya was added to the NWT List of Species at Risk 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, 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 is required under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act. It does not result in any automatic prohibitions or protections for the species or its 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 (NWT), with input from Inuvialuit, hairy braya experts and the public.
  • Hairy braya info page