King Rail Noppadol Paothong

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Safe Harbour Stewardship Agreements

A “Safe Harbour” agreement is one example of a stewardship agreement that is possible under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. This type of agreement is between the Ministry of Natural Resources and either an individual property owner or a group of landowners. Under the agreement, and possibly through an incentive program, landowners would voluntarily create, restore and maintain valuable rare habitat such as grasslands or wetlands. If a species listed as at-risk under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) subsequently inhabits that area, the landowner could be exempt from the restrictive regulations set out in the ESA determining how endangered species habitat can be used. Essentially, such an exemption, used only under very specific conditions, encourages landowners to conserve important ecosystems. This is what is meant by s Safe Harbour Agreement.

Ontario Nature has been working with government, farmers, private landowners, naturalists and other stakeholders on drafting a Safe Harbour Agreement that meets the needs of landowners and wildlife. We believe it is important to partner with people and communities connected with the land to help create a “made-in Ontario” plan that supports the conservation work of landowners. With more than 90 percent of at-risk species habitat found on privately held lands in the province, individual efforts are paramount.

To learn more, please e-mail Anne Bell, director of conservation and education, at anneb@ontarionature.org.

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