HSP Project
The Labrador Metis Nation's HSP project for Species At Risk currently focuses on two species: Wolverine (Eastern population, which includes Labrador) and Woodland caribou (Boreal population, which includes Labrador). Our work with these two species has been ongoing since 2003. The main objectives of this project are to increase community awareness with respect to the plight of these species and to conduct field research to confirm the presence or absence of a breeding population of Wolverine in Labrador.
Our project is primarily funded through the Government of Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program (www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih), with the remaining portion coming from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Environment and Conservation and our own contributions. The importance of this project becomes apparent when we realized that Woodland Caribou in Labrador are classified as threatened under both the federal Species At Risk Act and the Endangered Species Act of Newfoundland and Labrador. The eastern population of Wolverine, which includes Quebec and Labrador, is classified as endangered under both these acts. In fact, the last confirmed sighting of a Wolverine in Labrador was in the 1950s. Without our help, and conservation efforts at the local level, the future of both species in Labrador is uncertain.
In order to assist our work, and remain up-to-date on other research being done with these species, the LMN participates as a member of both the Labrador Wolverine Working Group and the Labrador Woodland Caribou Recovery Team. The purpose of these groups is to assist in the recovery of Wolverine and Woodland caribou in Labrador, so that one day they will recover to the point that they will no longer need protection. Our participation in these groups helps to ensure that the LMN is able to voice its concerns over any decisions being made by the groups and enables us the ability to communicate information back to our membership and vice versa.
Our project is primarily funded through the Government of Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program (www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih), with the remaining portion coming from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Environment and Conservation and our own contributions. The importance of this project becomes apparent when we realized that Woodland Caribou in Labrador are classified as threatened under both the federal Species At Risk Act and the Endangered Species Act of Newfoundland and Labrador. The eastern population of Wolverine, which includes Quebec and Labrador, is classified as endangered under both these acts. In fact, the last confirmed sighting of a Wolverine in Labrador was in the 1950s. Without our help, and conservation efforts at the local level, the future of both species in Labrador is uncertain.
In order to assist our work, and remain up-to-date on other research being done with these species, the LMN participates as a member of both the Labrador Wolverine Working Group and the Labrador Woodland Caribou Recovery Team. The purpose of these groups is to assist in the recovery of Wolverine and Woodland caribou in Labrador, so that one day they will recover to the point that they will no longer need protection. Our participation in these groups helps to ensure that the LMN is able to voice its concerns over any decisions being made by the groups and enables us the ability to communicate information back to our membership and vice versa.