Over the next five years, Can-Peat will quantify the potential of peatland management in Canada to contribute to climate change mitigation. The research supports Canada's commitment to reach net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Specific objectives are to: 

1. Create a Canada-wide peatland research network   

2. Compile a database on peatland carbon stocks, greenhouse gas exchange, and supporting data across Canada

3. Advance models of peatland carbon cycling from site to national scale and use these models to evaluate future peatland greenhouse gas uptake or emission under changing climate and disturbance regimes 

4. Investigate mechanisms to implement peatland nature-based solutions in Canada and develop a decision-support framework for peatland management 

5. Communicate findings to partners and provide the tools needed for climate-friendly peatland management and greenhouse gas emission reporting related to these activities. 

Can-Peat: Canada's peatlands as nature-based climate solutions is funded through the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund. Administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada, $15.8 million is being allocating to six University of Waterloo research projects to identify solutions to environmental challenges. Nationally the Climate Action Awareness Fund was part of a $58 million announcement by Minister Guilbeault for research projects that will advance science and technology to combat climate change.

This is a webinar series hosted by the Canadian Conservation and Land Management (CCLM) knowledge network on topics related to land management, wetlands, and boreal caribou conservation in Canada. At each webinar, experts in their fields share knowledge and expertise of value to practitioners and managers. The webinars are recorded so that they can be viewed by those who were unable to attend the live event. Webinars held to date are:

• Advancing Conservation Outcomes Through Research, Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange - October 28, 2021
• Monitoring Environmental Impacts Through Remote Sensing - February 17, 2022

• The Application of Drone and Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle Technology in Conservation Work - February 28, 2023

• Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Expert Panel on Canada's Carbon Sink Potential - May 24, 2023

• Intensive Forest Management Across Canada: Panel Discussion - November 8, 2023

• 2030 Nature Strategy: Panel Discussion - September 5, 2024

• Wildfire: Panel Discussion - February 27, 2025

This is a webinar series hosted by the Canadian Conservation and Land Management (CCLM) knowledge network on topics related to land management, wetlands, and boreal caribou conservation in Canada. At each webinar, experts in their fields share knowledge and expertise of value to practitioners and managers. The webinars are recorded so that they can be viewed by those who were unable to attend the live event. Webinars held to date are:

• Advancing Conservation Outcomes Through Research, Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange - October 28, 2021
• Monitoring Environmental Impacts Through Remote Sensing - February 17, 2022

• The Application of Drone and Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle Technology in Conservation Work - February 28, 2023

• Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Expert Panel on Canada's Carbon Sink Potential - May 24, 2023

• Intensive Forest Management Across Canada: Panel Discussion - November 8, 2023

• 2030 Nature Strategy: Panel Discussion - September 5, 2024

• Wildfire: Panel Discussion - February 27, 2025

This is a webinar series hosted by the Canadian Conservation and Land Management (CCLM) knowledge network on topics related to land management, wetlands, and boreal caribou conservation in Canada. At each webinar, experts in their fields share knowledge and expertise of value to practitioners and managers. The webinars are recorded so that they can be viewed by those who were unable to attend the live event. Webinars held to date are:

• Advancing Conservation Outcomes Through Research, Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange - October 28, 2021
• Monitoring Environmental Impacts Through Remote Sensing - February 17, 2022

• The Application of Drone and Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle Technology in Conservation Work - February 28, 2023

• Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Expert Panel on Canada's Carbon Sink Potential - May 24, 2023

• Intensive Forest Management Across Canada: Panel Discussion - November 8, 2023

• 2030 Nature Strategy: Panel Discussion - September 5, 2024

• Wildfire: Panel Discussion - February 27, 2025

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

The aim of the CAN-SAR Database is to provide open and accessible data reflecting information obtained from Canadian species at risk listing and recovery planning documents. Ongoing efforts include development of a living database that will facilitate contributions from other parties in an effort to increase efficiencies and decrease multiple (redundant) efforts with the broad over-arching goal of improving the conservation of species at risk.

NOTE: The current version of CAN-SAR includes data from documents available as of March 23, 2021 for species listed under Schedule 1 of SARA as Special Concern, Threatened, or  Endangered. For the authoritative source of current species at risk information please consult the SARA Public Registry.

Please see the article CAN-SAR: A Database of Canadian Species at Risk Information for more comprehensive information. 

The aim of the CAN-SAR Database is to provide open and accessible data reflecting information obtained from Canadian species at risk listing and recovery planning documents. Ongoing efforts include development of a living database that will facilitate contributions from other parties in an effort to increase efficiencies and decrease multiple (redundant) efforts with the broad over-arching goal of improving the conservation of species at risk.

NOTE: The current version of CAN-SAR includes data from documents available as of March 23, 2021 for species listed under Schedule 1 of SARA as Special Concern, Threatened, or  Endangered. For the authoritative source of current species at risk information please consult the SARA Public Registry.

Please see the article CAN-SAR: A Database of Canadian Species at Risk Information for more comprehensive information. 

The Boreal Caribou Ecological Model

Developed by the Habitat Restoration Working Group (HRWG) of the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium (NBCKC).

Habitat restoration is expected to play a key role in the recovery of boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada. Population declines are correlated with the proportion of ranges affected by anthropogenic and natural disturbances and reversing these impacts is expected to benefit caribou populations. However, there are various mechanisms that lead from habitat stressors to caribou declines, and the effects of these mechanisms differ among ranges.

Understanding the ecological pathways driving observed relationships can inform restoration planning by:

1. directing treatments towards the most critical, range-specific mechanisms;
2. identifying possible confounding factors that need to be addressed; and,
3. supporting adaptive management by generating testable hypotheses and clarifying monitoring needs.

Here we present a conceptual Boreal Caribou Ecological Model developed by the Habitat Restoration Working Group of the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium. The model is composed of 14 factors and associated relationships that generate pathways leading from a variety of landscape disturbance stressors. The model does not capture all possible factors in the system, but only those that are likely exerting significant effects. Nor does it address specific restoration treatment options but it can inform the design of treatments by identifying the functional effects that treatments should be addressing.

Caribou survival and recruitment are affected directly by predation, nutrition, disease and hunting. All of these link back to one or more habitat stressors that drive the national disturbance model (i.e., fire, insect pests, forest alteration/clearing and linear development). The individual relationship pathways interact with each other and can also be affected by external factors. The habitat stressors alter forage available to caribou and to other primary prey, the distribution and abundance of primary prey, associated predators and of humans, and ultimately cause population declines via lower caribou survival and reproductive success.

A key next step for the conceptual model is the development of appropriate response metrics to monitor response to restoration efforts. This would provide the means to compare the relative effects of different drivers among ranges and would highlight key knowledge gaps. The model would then provide a complete framework for adaptive management as habitat restoration is implemented.

links to the Tools developed by the Habitat Restoration Working Group:

• The Boreal Caribou Ecological Model (current page)
  • Infographic
  • Technical Report
  • Boreal Caribou Habitat Restoration Practices: Application and Outcomes
    • Infographic: Leverage Our Learnings: Applications And Outcomes Of Boreal Caribou Habitat Restoration

To learn more about caribou habitat restoration please visit our 'Caribou Habitat Restoration' page [under development].

The 2018 Action Plan for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada: Federal actions for the Threatened boreal caribou called for the collaborative development of national population monitoring protocols. In 2018, the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium (NBCKC) formed its first working group, the Monitoring Working Group, to investigate caribou population monitoring priorities, methods, constraints, and best practices.

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

Knowledge sharing:

The Monitoring Working Group first conducted interviews with experts and knowledge holders from across Canada, to (i) investigate the diversity of monitoring priorities and constraints across the boreal range, (ii) document the variability in methods used, and (iii) capture the perspectives and concerns expressed by individuals and organizations. The information arising from these interviews was then used to produce a report, Boreal Caribou Monitoring in Canada Part I: Perspectives from the NBCKC Monitoring Working Group. 

Knowledge generation and mobilization:

Having established and documented the perspectives surrounding boreal caribou monitoring, the working group then aimed to develop a set of guidance tools for the design and selection of suitable methods for monitoring boreal caribou populations under different scenarios. These tools are intended to inform both the development of emerging monitoring programs as well as the re-evaluation of current monitoring practices. This work is ongoing, however, the working group has released a number of tools to the ever-evolving Boreal Caribou Monitoring Toolkit  ("the toolkit").

The current objectives of the toolkit are:

1. To centralize existing resources relevant to the monitoring of boreal caribou, 
2. To provide valuable and accessible guidance for anyone engaged in, or planning to initiate, monitoring programs, and 
3. To identify where knowledge gaps still exist, such that toolkit users may see opportunities to contribute resources to the toolkit. It is important to highlight that the toolkit is intended to be an 'evergreen' resource; as new resources and information are brought forward, these may be added to the toolkit as standalone pieces or may be incorporated into existing tools. To be clear, toolkit users are encouraged to submit resources and documents they feel would enhance the overall value of the toolkit. 

Be sure to view the Boreal Caribou Monitoring toolkit by clicking the image. 

Be sure to read more about the Monitoring Working Group by clicking here 

To learn more about the NBCKC, please visit our interactive story map, available in English and French!

The National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium (NBCKC), which launched in 2018 under Canada’s federal action plan for boreal caribou, is a forum for knowledge sharing, knowledge generation, and knowledge mobilization. Members of the NBCKC represent federal, provincial and territorial governments, Wildlife Management Boards, Indigenous Peoples and communities, industry, environmental non-governmental organizations, and academic researchers. Several representatives who are part of the NBCKC are also members of a parallel body known as the Indigenous Knowledge Circle (IKC). The IKC advocates for the respectful inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge, supports the transition towards Indigenous-led management to support the recovery of caribou, and, provides opportunities for learning about what is working and not working in Indigenous contexts.

The NBCKC also includes several working groups and knowledge networks that were formed to assess what we already know, to ask what we still need to know, and to determine how to apply what we know to maximize caribou conservation and recovery goals. These groups currently include:

• The Monitoring Working Group
• The Habitat Restoration Working Group
• The Population Management Working Group
• The Caribou Health Knowledge Network

The NBCKC sets ambitious targets and deadlines in order to resolve remaining knowledge gaps by developing impactful guidance meant to inform caribou managers as they structure their respective programs. They have built a powerful interactive map and populated it with over 100 caribou projects, the majority of which involve Indigenous peoples. Despite boasting a large membership consisting of keen, skilled, and focused individuals, the NBCKC has been able to reach even higher levels of relevance and impact by joining our efforts with those of other initiatives. 

Follow this link to browse the repository of newsletters, guidance documents, best practices, tool kits and other resources that have been developed collaboratively by the NBCKC housed on our boreal caribou portal.