The Province heard hundreds of comments from British Columbians about ideas and new ways to protect B.C.’s species at risk during a recent six-week consultation that ended Nov. 30, 2016.

During the consultation period, the B.C. Species at Risk Engagement website was visited more than 4,390 times by people from around B.C. – the majority hailing from Vancouver Island and the Coast (22%), the Lower Mainland (22%), the Kootenay region (12%) and the Thompson-Okanagan (12%).

In total, the website received 461 comments, representing a broad range of stakeholders, including local government and First Nations, interest groups, academia and industry, as well as the general public.

Participants provided feedback on four main topics, with the principles for protecting B.C.’s species at risk prompting the most discussion. All the comments may be viewed online: engage.gov.bc.ca/SpeciesAtRisk

The feedback will strengthen B.C.’s species at risk program by informing options to improve programs, policies or legislation as part of B.C.’s Five-Year Plan for Species at Risk

Quote:

Environment Minister Mary Polak –

“Recovering and protecting B.C.’s species at risk is a shared responsibility. That’s why it is important to get feedback from British Columbians on the challenges and opportunities that exist for improving how we protect species at risk in B.C.”

Learn More:

Read the Province’s Five-Year Plan for Species at Risk in B.C.: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/