2019-03-01
Coastal Northern Goshawk - Stads K’un Identification Workshop
Biology How to identify, document and report Northern Goshawk (Accipiter Signs gentilis laingi): detections, signs, nests, habitat and behaviour.
Nests Stads K’un (wings brushing boughs) Habitat This workshop is intended for forestry workers and other professionals Haida Gwaii’s national bird conducting work on forested lands. 2 Photos: Harvey Thommas, Veronica Woodruff, TimberWest, Paul Chytyk and Ryan Murphy 24-Feb-2019 Photo: Harvey Thommas
MODULE 1: Status MODULE 2: Biology Distribution and Range MODULE 3: Identification Conservation Status MODULE 4: Habitat Population Trend MODULE 5: Now What? Primary Threats Recovery Strategy Goshawk Coastal Subspecies Goals and Objectives Accipiter gentilis laingi Queen Charlotte Goshawk Implementation Plan Stads K’un 3 4 Photo: TimberWest Photo: Rory Hill
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Restricted to Widely Across most of Canada forested habitats distributed, but and the western United of the northern uncommon to rare States. hemisphere. across their range. Resident across most of its range in N. America. Short, southern movements in winter when prey species are low in number. Laingi subspecies is restricted to the Pacific Northwest.
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Results of a 2018 genome analysis do not change the Coastal subspecies taxonomy of Northern laingi occurs west of the Coast Range (dark green) Goshawk in BC Results suggest that laingi Interior subspecies atricapillus occurs east subspecies predominates in of the Coast Range Haida Gwaii, while atricapillus predominates in Possible range overlap and interbreeding of the the rest of BC, Alaska, 2 subspecies (light green Washington transition zone) Both subspecies are provincially ranked as (Geraldes et al. 2018) species at risk 7 8
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Nationally – Threatened Provincial population Provincially – laingi is Red-listed trend is unknown (equivalent to Threatened) Habitat trend has Provincially – atricapillus is Blue- Listed (equivalent to Special Concern) declined since historic capability
Threatened - A wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.
9 10 Photo: John Deal, Harvey Thommas
Habitat loss and fragmentation Forest seral stage conversion (primarily to younger forests) Sets the strategic Reductions in prey diversity, direction to arrest or abundance and availability reverse the decline of the Genetic isolation species in Canada Introduced species (particularly on Haida Gwaii) Includes short-term and Disturbances near nests can long-term population and reduce breeding success distribution objectives for nesting and foraging Primary Threats are exacerbated by the biology of the habitat in each of the four species, including: high mortality and low conservation regions reproduction and survivorship. . 11 12 Photo: Paul Chytyk
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The provincial IP outlines Contains management senior provincial actions and commitments government direction on to meet population and how to manage and recover distribution objectives and Northern Goshawk laingi long-term recovery goal subspecies Home range targets, existing landscape-level The provincial IP differs from habitat protection, and total the federal RS in some key habitat “gaps” are provided areas, particularly around for each conservation managing foraging habitat, region long-term population objectives, and list of Critical Demonstrating progress on Habitat sites priority actions in the IP is a high provincial priority 13 14
By 2020, protect at least 95 new priority breeding areas The IP contains specific population 5 in Haida Gwaii and distribution objectives, and 30 in each of the 3 other regions management Research foraging habitat requirements actions for the Transition Zone By 2020, update the Implementation Plan and provide recommendations Suitable breeding area habitats will be prioritized for More information, the BC Implementation Plan is available at: reserve https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants- implementation in animals-and-ecosystems/species-ecosystems-at-risk/recovery- the Transition Zone planning/implementation_plan_for_the_recovery_of_northern_ goshawk.pdf
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Under IWMS, currently 35 WHAs established for coastal goshawks
Goshawks are a focal species under the Great Bear Rainforest LUO – landscape reserve design polygons Breeding are being developed to encompass suitable goshawk breeding habitat Nesting Chronology The Haida Gwaii LUO contains Hunting Objectives for goshawk, including established reserves around known Prey Species nests and reserve zones established around new nests Predators
Additional legal tools for conserving or protecting goshawk habitat include OGMAs, Parks & Protected Areas
Sec. 34c of the provincial Wildlife Act
17 18 Photo: Rory Hill
Courtship and Breeding Most males initiate (late February to April) breeding at 3 years of age. Males perform aerial displays to Some females may breed attract females. as early as 1-2 years old. Pairs mate and nest is built. Adults do not necessarily breed every year. Incubation Phase Annual occupancy rates (May) are variable (Vancouver Island 55% and Haida Female lays 1-4 eggs, one every 2 Gwaii 30%). days, and incubates for 30-32 days. Male provides female with food.
19 20 Photo: Harvey Thommas Photos: Jorma Luhta and Bob Armstrong
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Nestling Phase Dispersal (late May to late June) (mid-August to early September) Chicks hatch and remain in the Adults stop feeding young. nest (38-42 days), fed by the adults. Fledglings’ feathers harden and Male forages afar; female close by. birds disperse from nest area.
Fledgling Phase Non-breeding Season (late June to mid-August) (October to January) Males fledge earlier than females. Female moves to wintering area. Chicks begin to fly, but stay close. Male remains in or near the Still fed by the adults (35-55 days). breeding territory.
21 22 Photos: TimberWest and TimberWest Photos: TimberWest and Todd Manning
Thrushes Generally, do not soar in Varied Thrush open habitats when hunting or foraging. Swainson’s Thrush Instead, they have an Hermit Thrush ambush style of hunting. American Robin Goshawks use a stop-and- go, perched, short-stay Woodpeckers and leave hunting style. Hairy Woodpecker Generalist predator of Northern Flicker medium-sized bird and Red-breasted Sapsucker small mammals. Downy Woodpecker
23 24 Photo: TimberWest Photos: John Schwarz and John Gatchet
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Grouse and Jays Adults have few natural Sooty Grouse predators. Young are likely Ruffed Grouse preyed upon by: Canada Jay Great Horned Owl Steller’s Jay Barred Owl Bald Eagle Mammals Red-tailed Hawk Red Squirrel Raccoon Seasonally (winter) Black Bear Waterfowl American Marten
25 26 Photos: Bill Hubick and Kim Smith Photo: Tony Varela
Coastal vs. Interior Adult vs. Immature Perched vs In Flight Young Similar Species Vocalizations Signs Interior Coastal atricapillus laingi
27 28 Photo: Rory Hill Photos: Douglas Herr and Rory Hill
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Overall smudgy or sooty appearance. Contrast between Fine barring and dark back and lighter streaking on breast. breast. Barred tail is round Upright perched posture. and has a whitish tip. Dark cap and face mask Conspicuous eyebrow with lighter eyebrow stripe. stripe.
29 30 Photo: John Deal Photo: Rory Hill
Subadult (2-3 years old) has some brown feathering on back. Conspicuous white undertail coverts that are flared when agitated. Slightly smaller than a raven in size. Adults look notably ‘fierce’ or ‘angry’ when disturbed.
Adult (4 years and older) has dark, blue-black back. 31 32 Photo: Harvey Thommas Photos: Mel Diotte and Mark Schwan
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Subadult (2-3 years old)
Grey-black feathering. Few distinguishing Yellow/orange to mahogany characteristics. coloured eye. Mottled brown overall. Darker head. Long, rounded tail with Adult (4 years and older) wavy barring and lighter coloured tip. Black feathering. Red eye.
33 34 Photos: Todd Mahon and USDAFS Photo: John Deal
Uniformly grey below. Thick, brown vertical White undertail coverts. streaking on breast. Long, barred tail. Tan upper breast, fading Dark back. lighter below. Dark head with lighter Indication of a lighter eyebrow stripe. eyebrow stripe. Bulky body with Upright perched posture. powerful, stiff wingbeat. Long, rudder-like tail for manoeuvring through forest.
35 36 Photo: Jack Williamson Photos: Mathias Putze, Mikko Pyhala and Holly Merker
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Few distinguishing characteristics. Heavily mottled brown from below. Distinct barring on underwings. Long-tailed with dark barring. Faint eyebrow stripe. Flight pattern is weaker or clumsier than adult. Body adapted to pursue prey through forest. 37 38 Video: BBC Photos: Alexander Viduetsky, Steve Byland and Steve Byland
Distinctive flight pattern: flap-flap-flap-glide. Deep, slow, deliberate wingbeats – ‘butterfly’ flight. 39 40 Video: Nik Uniku Video: Marcus Nash
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Until 10-12 days, all white down. Day 14, first dark pin feathers begin to appear. Day 24, young are partially feathered and half the size of 14-17 days old an adult. Day 32, young are mostly feathered and practice flapping in the nest. Day 34, males fledge. Day 42, females fledge. 32-34 days old Nestlings around 12-14 days of age. 41 42 Photos: TimberWest and TimberWest Video: Aaron Allred
¾ the size of goshawk
Adult Dark grey back. Chestnut barred front. Black cap, no eyebrow stripe. White undertail coverts. Barred, rounded and long tail. Immature
Fine brown streaking on Nestling around 36-38 days of age. light coloured breast. 43 44 Video: Berry Wijdeven Photos: Evan Lipton and Gilles Archambault
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½ the size of goshawk slightly larger than goshawk
Adult Adult Dark grey back. Overall mottled brown. Chestnut barred front. Darker belly-band. Black cap, no eyebrow Rufous upper side of tail. stripe. Immature Thin, delicate legs. Similar to adult, but with Barred, squared and buffy coloured breast. long tail. In Flight Immature Short, red, fanned tail. Coarse brown streaking Dark ‘armpit’ patches. on light coloured breast. 45 46 Photos: Toonie Irvine and Beverley Lu Photos: Bob Moul and David Levinson
Bulkier and larger than goshawk
Adult and Immature Large, all black body. Shaggy throat. Large bill. Perches more horizontally. In Flight Long, wedge-shaped tail. Flaps more frequently.
47 Photos: Dick Daniels and Sergey Yellseev 48
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Adults are generally quiet most of the year. Give alarm calls during the breeding season or when agitated. Pitch varies among individuals. Females call deeper in tone than males. Females give wail calls to elicit male to bring food.
50 49 Photo: TimberWest
Start giving begging calls by 3 weeks of age. By 5.5 weeks of age may start giving alarm calls.
Adult responding to alarm call playback. 51 52 Video: TimberWest Photos: TimberWest, Harvey Thommas and TimberWest
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Jays and Sapsuckers Prey Remains
Can give convincing Plucked feathers, bones and fur mimics of both goshawk tuffs of prey species. alarm and begging calls. Found on the forest floor, plucking Canada Jay mimic calls posts, or at the base of nest trees. can be particularly misleading. Plucking Posts Have patience, the mimic Used regularly or habitually. species almost always inserts at least one of its Typically an elevated stump, own calls or songs while mossy mound, log, branch or snag; it is mimicking. frequently in sight of the nest. 53 54 Photos: Corey Shearwater, Jeff Maw and Epi Shemming Photos: Paul Chytyk and Paul Chytyk
Moulted Feathers Whitewash
Adult flight and tail feathers are Defecate over the nest and at roosts frequently shed or moulted during where whitewash accumulates. the nesting season. Easier to detect on even ground or Often found on ground near nest. on vegetation with large leaves.
Pellets Eggshells Indigestible bones, fur and feathers Pale bluish-white and are about the are regurgitated in pellets. size of a small chicken egg. Typically grey, tubular, 2-6 cm long. Adult removes the eggshell from nest and discards it on the ground.
55 56 Photos: Ryan Murphy and Sue McDonald Photos: TimberWest and Ryan Murphy
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Nesting Habitat Nesting Habitat Suitability is likely based more on: Foraging Habitat stand structure rather Nest Trees than on stand age and Nests tree species composition Mistletoe Structures abundance and accessibility of prey Active or Inactive? rather than prey species diversity
57 58 Photo: Rory Hill Photo: Pamela Zevit
Preferred Stand Characteristics
Suitable: CDF (all) and CWH (all except vh) Preferred Stand Structure BEC Zone Less Suitable: CWH (vh), ESSF (all) and MH (all) closed canopies Unsuitable: AT open understories structural complexity Highly Suitable: western hemlock, Douglas-fir subcanopy flyways Tree and Sitka spruce Moderately Suitable: amabilis fir, red alder and suitable nesting Species platforms black cottonwood Unsuitable: yellow-cedar, western redcedar, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, mountain hemlock 59 60 Photo: Paul Chytyk
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Preferred Stand Characteristics Preferred Stand Characteristics
Canopy Stand Highly Suitable: stands > 27 m Closure Highly Suitable: 50-75% canopy closure Height Moderately Suitable: stands 23-27 m Unsuitable:stands < 23 m
Highly Suitable: old (SS 7) and mature (SS 6) Slope Suitable: < 60% slope Stand > 90 years old Less Suitable: 61-100% slope Age Moderately Suitable: young (SS 5); Unsuitable: > 100% slope approx. 65-89 years old Unsuitable: pole/sapling (SS 4); < 65 years old
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Spacing between breeding Foraging habitat is more territories varies regionally varied than nesting and on the quality of habitat habitat and includes: and availability of prey. Forests Wetlands Territories are spaced, on average: Estuaries 6.9 km apart on Edges Vancouver Island Subalpine In highly productive forests or along narrow valleys, territory 10.4 km apart on Alpine spacing can be smaller, Haida Gwaii Clearcuts between 4-5 km apart. 64 Photo: Parks Canada Agency 63 Photos: Paul Chytyk, Paul Chytyk, Public Commons and Public Commons
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Poorer Quality Foraging Habitats Habitats with: Dense, pole-stage stands with heavy canopy cover, Structural complexity few flyways and little Abundant flyways understory. Open understories Greater canopy cover better facilitates the goshawk’s surprise and Goshawks will forage in any ambush hunting habitat that has available technique. Open canopied stands and accessible prey. with dense, cluttered understories. 65 66 Photo: Paul Chytyk Photos: Paul Chytyk and Paul Chytyk
In Second Growth Forests Most nest trees are: Deciduous trees with large Live conifers. branch forks to support a One of the larger or nest structure may be used. taller trees in a stand. Sufficiently sized branches to support a nest structure. It remains unclear why Has adjacent open Nests are generally built on a goshawks choose a particular sub-canopy flyways. deformity (i.e., multiple nest tree over others. leader or mistletoe structure).
67 68 Photo: Ross Vennesland Photos: Ross Vennesland and TimberWest
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Preferred Nest Tree Characteristics Preferred Nest Tree Characteristics Preferred: taller with large dbh and suitable Preferred: western hemlock, Douglas-fir and branches for nest platforms Tree Sitka spruce Less Preferred: smaller with deformities (i.e., Size Tree Less Preferred: amabilis fir, western redcedar, mistletoe or forked tops) Species red alder and black cottonwood Not Preferred: trees < 20 m tall Not Preferred: yellow-cedar, lodgepole pine, mountain hemlock and subalpine fir Preferred: even slopes, mid-slope flat benches and toes of slopes Preferred: > 200 m of recent hard edge Terrain Less Preferred: uneven, steep slopes with Location Less Preferred: < 200 m of recent hard edge deep ravines Not Preferred: along recent hard edge Not Preferred: very seep, craggy topography
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Most Mature and Old Growth Nests Are:
Built against the tree trunk. On the first live branch from the ground. Between 15-25 m height. 1/3 to 1/2 way up the tree.
71 Photos: Veronica Woodruff, TimberWest, Veronica Woodruff and TimberWest Photos: Paul Chytyk and Ryan Vennesland 72
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Most 2nd Growth Nests Are:
Built on deformities such as mistletoe structures, branch whorls or forked-tops. 2/3 to 4/5 up the tree.
74 Photos: TimberWest and Ryan Murphy 73 Photos: Michael Shepard, Ryan Murphy, TimberWest, and TimberWest
Usually built in different In some cases, goshawks trees, but a single tree start to build a nest and can have multiple nests. abandon it before it is VI territories typically fully constructed. had 3 alternate nests, Nest starts may remain but can have over 10. incomplete for years or On average, 275 m apart be added to in subsequent years. Alternate nests are commonly on Vancouver Island and built in the breeding area and 375 m apart on Haida are used in successive years. Gwaii. Can be < 50 m apart, or It is unclear why goshawks Inactive nest start in 2017 (left) and use them. > 1 km apart. active nest in 2018 (right).
Photo: Canfor 75 Photos: Ryan Murphy and Ryan Murphy 76
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Some forest raptor nests can be similar in appearance to goshawk nests, making them difficult to differentiate. At times, species may use one another’s nests. Sometimes the only way to confirm what species the nest belongs to is to see the bird. Mistletoe structures can look very convincingly Look for fresh signs. like a goshawk nest from the ground.
Photos: Paul Chytyk, Paul Chytyk and Paul Chytyk 77 Photo: Paul Chytyk 78
Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Red-tailed Hawk and Owls Hawk and Common Raven
Typically, built higher in Red-tailed Hawks nests the tree than goshawks. are sometimes larger in Often more concealed by size, in branch crotches, tree foliage and branches. more exposed and in Can be the same size as upper tree crown. goshawk nest, but made Great Horned and Barred with thinner branches. Owls do not build their Raven nests are made own nests and will often with shorter, dead re-use old hawk nests, branches or sticks. including goshawk nests.
Photos: Paul Chytyk and BC Biodiversity Centre 79 Photo: National Geographic and Dale Martin 80
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Bald Eagle and Osprey Great Blue Heron
Typically, build nests near Typically nest in colonies the top of the tree and up to 20-25 nests and near close to waterbodies. the coast. Nests are large in size. On Haida Gwaii, they nest Use thicker, dead singly or in small groups branches and sticks for (< 5 nests), further inland. nest structure. Nests are smaller, more Ospreys will build nests ball-shaped or raggedly, on artificial platforms or and out on branches, not the tops of power poles. against the tree trunk.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons and Bill Caid 81 Photo: Bob Ebner 82
The following may help to determine if the nest is Robustness active or not. A newly built or Robustness repaired nest often appears robust, non- Greenery slumpy, and full- Feathers looking from the Flies ground and may Spiderwebs indicate the nest is An incubating female can be Whitewash active. difficult to detect on an Pellets, Eggshells and Active nests often look fresh and active nest. Prey Remains fluffy due to the newly added branches.
Photo: Bob Brett 83 Photo: Ross Vennesland 84
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Greenery Feathers Live conifer branches Breast feathers from are often added to the the female’s brood nest each year, some patch or down feathers still having green from the nestlings needles. This fresh often get caught in the greenery may be nest structure. visible from the Moulted adult feathers ground and may may also be found at indicate the nest is Moulted nestling down feathers the base of the nest Fresh greenery added to top caught in the nest branches. layer of an active nest. active. tree.
Photo: TimberWest 85 Photo: Paul Chytyk 86
Flies Flying insects (e.g., flies, black flies, gnats and mosquitoes) are often seen above active nests. Flies feed on prey remains in the nest, while blooding- seeking insects feed Black fly infestations at active nests on the young birds. may jeopardize chick health and can even contribute to nestling mortality. Note the biting gnats pestering the nestlings.
Photo: Paul Chytyk 87 Video: TimberWest 88
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Spiderwebs Whitewash Spiderwebs are At one week of age, sometimes seen above nestlings begin to the nest. If the nest was defecate over the edge active, then the adult of the nest. Whitewash birds would likely amounts depends on brush these away how many young are when flying in and out present, how cluttered of the nest. If they are the ground is below the An inactive goshawk nest with a present, it may indicate Accumulation of whitewash nest, and if recent rains thin layer or spider webs where the nest is inactive. at the base of an active nest have washed it away. the nest meets the tree trunk. tree with three nestlings.
Photo: Ross Vennesland 89 Photo: TimberWest 90
Pellets, Eggshells and Prey Remains Unknown Stick Nest Found Fresh pellets, eggshells Is It a Goshawk Nest? and prey remains may BC iSpecies Goshawk App be found at the base of Reporting Your Sighting the nest tree or nearby Additional Information and may indicate that the nest is active.
92 Photos: Barn Owl Trust, Mike Gadd, Paul Chytyk 91 Photo: Rory Hill
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FOUND!!! Unknown Large Stick Nest Use BC iSpecies Goshawk App Have any birds been detected? Compare your nest to App Is it suitable goshawk habitat? photos of goshawk nests, nests Is it a mistletoe structure? trees, and suitable habitat. Are there any fresh signs? Check your App’s active/ inactive nest hints. Are there alternate nests? Broadcast goshawk alarm and Can you see into the nest begging calls. from a vantage point with binoculars?
Photo: Paul Chytyk 93 Photo: Paul Chytyk 94
Take a photo, video or audio Download your free Goshawk Field iForm recording of the bird, nest and BC iSpecies Goshawk App: habitat. (weblink to be announced shortly) Collect UTMs of the sighting 65 ID photos and 9 ID videos or nest tree. 40 nest tree photos If a nest is present, measure or 35 nest photos estimate tree height, dbh & nest height above ground 30 prey species remains photos Collect pellets or prey 12 goshawk and raptor calls Field form uses FileMaker Go (17) iOS software remains in a bag and label. Aging nestlings key and photos https://www.filemaker.com Fill-in electronic goshawk Active/Inactive nest hints /products/filemaker-go/ field form and submit.
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Detailed information on coastal goshawk ecology Submit your sighting information and management of goshawk breeding areas can be to your regional biologist: found at:
West Coast Region Janice Anderson (250-751-3212) McClaren et al. (2015) – Science-based [email protected] Guidelines for Managing Northern South Coast Region Goshawk Breeding Areas in Coastal Melanie Wilson (604-586-5649) British Columbia. [email protected] Skeena Region URL: http://jem-online.org/index.php/ Anne Hetherington (250 847-7692) jem/article/view/576 [email protected]
98 Photo: TimberWest 97
Technical Reviews By: Darryn McConkey, West Coast Region Janice Anderson, West Coast Region Melanie Wilson, South Coast Region Frank Doyle, Skeena Region Oliver Holt (and others), Haida Gwaii
Thanks to Erica McClaren, West Coast Region for training content and info.
Special thanks to TimberWest for providing multiple photos and videos.
10 99 Photo: Rory Hill 0
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Funding from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Resource Stewardship Division - Species at Risk Recovery Branch. Workshop presentation design and text by Strategic Resource Solutions, Victoria, BC. For more information, please contact: Christine Petrovcic (Tel: 778.647.2000) Implementation Coordinator Species at Risk Recovery Branch [email protected]
Photo: Rory Hill 101
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