The need to monitor and report on the status of wildlife is one of the key conservation elements agreed upon nationally in the 1996 Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. These efforts are guided by standards that have been developed by a national working group, formed by members from each of the provinces and territories, the conservation data centres, and from each of the federal agencies with jurisdiction over wildlife species. The results from across the country are published in a series of national reports entitled Wild Species. Reports have been compiled for 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 (see Wild Species Reports – Canada).
The status of New Brunswick species is determined by collaborations between the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development (DNRED) and the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, and by consultations with biologists and naturalists who have extensive local field experience and expertise. We wish to acknowledge the generosity of these people, who donate so much time and effort to this important task.
New groups of species are added to the process with each report. Also, species that have been assessed are reassessed at five-year intervals. This allows us to track changes in species status over time and gives us a useful tool to identify species which might be of conservation concern before their status becomes critical. It also allows us to assess whether there are trends concerning species thought to be at risk that may identify habitats or ecosystems which may require particular attention. In addition, it keeps track of any non-native species that have been introduced into New Brunswick, as well as species that have expanded their range into the province on their own.