The 2018 Action Plan for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada: Federal actions for the Threatened boreal caribou identified the need for the “Establishment of a Network of Designated Adaptive Management Ranges & Pilot Areas” to better understand how various management options can best support boreal caribou recovery. Indeed, at the NBCKC’s annual in-person meeting in June 2019, members agreed that there was a need for a national-level Working Group to coordinate, share and generate new knowledge regarding population-based management actions for boreal caribou.

In 2020, the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium (NBCKC) formed the Population Management Working Group (PMWG), to bring together the best available information and help inform actions by management practitioners across Canada to best support caribou conservation and recovery programs. Be sure to read more about the PMWG, including our goals, structure, and membership, by clicking here. 

The objective of the current project page is to create a space to centralize best available information related to boreal caribou management.

Knowledge sharing, generation, and mobilization from the MAnagement Working group 

Knowledge sharing:

Since its establishment in 2020, the Population Management Working Group has been meeting on a regular basis to share information. Over the years, our members have formed trusting relationships grounded in the understanding that the most significant conservation gains will be made by sustaining an open and respectful dialogue. Our members have routinely demonstrated a willingness to share information and learn from one another. The apparent mutual desire to “do what is right for caribou” has led to numerous delicate yet honest conversations. It is in this space that realistic and meaningful dialogue regarding existing long-standing challenges to caribou management occurs, trust between members continues to build, and areas of possible improvement are made apparent. Though approaches and perspectives may vary, this working group provides a space for ideas to be expressed, heard, and considered.

This real-time exchange of information helps ensure management practitioners access the knowledge (experience-based or evidence-based) needed to make informed, timely decisions for caribou. 

Knowledge generation: 
Having established a community of practice to discuss current issues and perspectives surrounding boreal caribou management, the working group worked collaboratively to develop an internal document 'state of boreal caribou management'. This document is not intended to be released to the public. Still, it is highlighted here as the development of this report serves as a 'baseline' against which new programs or initiatives can be compared. In addition to this internal report, the PMWG has developed two external communication resources. These are hyperlinked below, under 'PMWG-deemed best available resources'.

Having established a baseline of the state of management knowledge, the working group next turned its attention to identifying knowledge gaps related to boreal caribou management. The extension group was particularly helpful in this phase of work; comments from core and extension group members have produced new ideas and projects that have been implemented (e.g. increasing focus on understanding limiting factors in caribou populations that have not been subject to intensive habitat alteration). 

Knowledge mobilization:
In addition to sharing knowledge internally and creating resources for all audiences, this working group is looking to learn from, and promote the value of other existing initiatives. In effect, the PMWG is looking to mobilize lessons learned in the past to make better decisions for the future. The current project page is a first step towards this knowledge mobilization goal; by centralizing best available resources, whether or not the resources were led or created by the PMWG, we hope to advocate for what is best for boreal caribou. 

The Population Management Working Group is pleased to present the following list of curated resources. The scope and content of this list is driven by PMWG members, however, should the reader have any suggestions of resources they would like to see included, kindly contact the PMWG co-leads, and we will advance your suggestion to the working group. The goal of creating and maintaining this list is that knowledge is easily accessible to anyone involved in caribou research and management. It is our hope that caribou conservation programs and policies incorporate this best available knowledge as it emerges. 

• A glossary of caribou management-related vocabulary
  • Public communication tools
    • Coming soon!
• Caribou management success stories and/or best practices
  • Effective collaborative management projects or initiatives 
    • Coming soon!
  • Best practices
    • Coming soon!
• 'State of knowledge’ type resources 
  • The Population Management Working Group has developed the Complementing Habitat Action with Population Management; Population Management Overview infographic, which covers the essentials of boreal caribou management (last revised June 2022).
  • Relevant policy documents
    • Conservation agreements & range plans
      • Coming soon!
    • Province-specific
      • The province of British Columbia has developed a set of infographics as part of an Indigenous consultation and public engagement process seeking input from First Nations, stakeholders, and the general public regarding the continuation of predator reduction to support caribou recovery. Click here to start exploring this set. 
• Interactive map layer updates
  • The Population Management Working Group has launched a geospatial map layer to showcase where management techniques have been used across Canada. This map layer is part of the broader boreal caribou interactive map; be sure to activate "Caribou Management in Canada" from the layer list near the bottom centre of your screen, as this layer does not display by default (last revised June 2022).
• A list of the current caribou management knowledge gaps
  • Coming soon!

AUTHORSHIP & VERSION HISTORY 

• This page is managed by the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium Population Management Working Group and will be updated periodically as new information or guidance on boreal caribou management becomes available. 
• This project page last updated April 30, 2025