The Ecological Recovery Monitoring Program should be implemented in stages to allow for incorporation of learnings and additional research to support design of protocols for new types of specified land, and to focus on areas where there is public interest and/or concern and little existing work. Each stage includes the Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (ME&R) components and R&D for the next disturbance type to be monitored. Each stage adds to the previous stage which means the Program cost is increased significantly with each new stage.
Duration of each stage can be adjusted based on the number of sites assessed (to allow for an informed decision at the Program Evaluation stage) and available funding. Note that oil sands mines are not identified here as there is considerable historical work completed and will likely be a key focus area of other monitoring programs (i.e., Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance monitoring initiatives).