Wilder Canada Action Plan

Taking Action for a Wilder Future

Over one-third of the world’s plants and animals at risk of extinction need targeted conservation actions to survive.

In Canada:

• Over 40% of federally listed species-at-risk with recovery plans include species-specific conservation translocations as part of their recovery strategy.
• There are 662 at-risk plant and animal species listed under SARA (Species at Risk Act), and nearly 300 of these—including mammals, birds, fish, plants, and lichens—have been identified as priorities for potential conservation action.

Our long-standing experience and leadership in conservation translocations allows us to make a measurable difference for Canada’s wildlife.

Key Conservation Actions

• Translocations – Conservation translocations are defined as the deliberate movement of organisms from one site for release in another for conservation benefit at a population, species or ecosystem level, and is an umbrella term that includes actions such as reintroduction, population augmentation, head-starting, and assisted colonization using individuals sourced from wild populations or those in human care. There are different types of translocations, including:
  • Wild-to-wild
  • Head-starting
  • Conservation breeding or propagation with reintroduction – raising plants or animals under human care to boost wild populations.

Species Prioritization Process

To focus our efforts where they can make the biggest difference, we developed the Species Prioritization Process. This process:

• uses clear criteria to help us evaluate and assess the potential for a conservation translocation program for species at-risk across Canada.
• helps us identify priority species and guides the development of our future conservation translocation programs.

Addressing the challenges facing these species requires a coordinated framework, analyzing criteria such as global status, feasibility, ecological importance, and opportunities for community engagement. That’s exactly what the Wilder Canada Action Plan provides—guiding hands-on conservation action for species recovery across Canada and directly contributing to national and global biodiversity goals

Red, yellow and orange zones highlight regions with the greatest concentration of species at-risk that need or may benefit from conservation translocation action.

What Is the Wilder Canada Action Plan?

The Wilder Canada Action Plan is a coordinated, cross-sector initiative that guides targeted, species-specific conservation actions nationwide.

While protecting habitats is essential, this alone will not be enough for many native plants and animals. Many species require additional, hands-on actions to restore their populations. The Wilder Canada Action Plan provides a clear national framework to ensure these needs are met, and these species aren’t left behind.

The Three Principles Guiding the Wilder Canada Action Plan

The Wilder Canada Action Plan is built on three core principles that shape every decision and action:

1. Inclusive Conservation: Collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and diverse parties is central to the entire planning, implementation and evaluation process.
2. Capacity Strengthening: Supporting practitioners, communities, and agencies with the tools, training, and resources they need to engage in conservation translocations and increase the number of people actively engaged in wildlife conservation in Canada.
3. Multi-species Approach: Actions benefit ecological communities, not just single species in isolation.

Program Outcomes

The Wilder Canada Action Plan is designed to create meaningful, measurable results for wildlife recovery across Canada. Our goals include:

• More species receiving targeted conservation actions.
• Slowed, halted, or reversed population declines for species-at-risk in Canada.
• Expanded partnerships and increased diversity of organizations or groups involved in planning and leading conservation translocations.

Looking Ahead

We continue to review and refine our existing conservation programs to align with the Wilder Canada Action Plan’s principles and criteria. This helps us focus our efforts where they can make the greatest difference for species recovery at a national scale while also providing tangible benefits for local communities.

Our work through the Kinship Program: Wildlife, People, Place, in partnership with Magnetawan First Nation, is already part of the Wilder Canada Action Plan. Additional programs will be added as we continue to grow our impact.

How You Can Help

You can play a role in supporting the recovery of Canada’s at-risk species. Every action counts!The Wilder Canada Action Plan is a public-private partnership that once fully activated, will become the largest coordinated approach to species-at-risk recovery in Canada. Today, discussions are ongoing with Governments across Canada to secure initial investment. Your voice helps raise awareness, inspires others to join and helps to demonstrate that Canadians are committed to Making Canada Wilder.

Put your name behind the Wilder Canada Action Plan

Support Our Work

Canada’s Wilder Institute has one vision: a future where wildlife and people thrive, together. Your financial support helps us carry out targeted conservation actions, expand programs, and back partners working on the ground. Together, we can make the world a wilder place for generations to come.

Ways to Give

• Support the Wilder Canada Action Plan
• Speak with a team member to learn about how your donation can have the greatest impact on the Wilder Canada Action Plan

Additional Resources

• Download the Wilder Canada Action Plan Brochure
• Learn more about the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework
• Learn more about the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The SARA is Canada’s federal law to prevent wildlife from becoming extinct, help recover those already at risk (Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened), and manage Species of Special Concern to prevent further decline, listing over 600 species with different protection levels and responsibilities shared between federal, provincial, and territorial governments.

Support the Wilder Institute

Canada’s Wilder Institute has one vision: a world where the balance between wildlife and human life is restored. Learn, act, and give to support the Wilder Institute’s work today. 

Together, we can make the world a wilder place.

Take Action