Urban and Rural Attitudes Toward Endangered Species Conservation in the Canadian Prairies: Drawing Lessons From the American ESA

Abstract

The North American prairie ecosystem is under threat from urbanization, agriculture, oil and gas extraction, and climate change. Biodiversity loss is on the rise and while the United States has a national law in place to protect endangered species across all land parcels, Canada does not. The province of Saskatchewan presently has no stand-alone legislation for endangered species. The province, however, has signaled a willingness to create legislation. Using qualitative and quantitative data from urban residents and rural landowners, this article argues that the province would be well served to heed lessons from 40 years of conservation history in the United States. The amendments to the American Endangered Species Act suggest that it is necessary to incentivize landowner cooperation, particularly when dealing with agricultural landowners. The article concludes that Saskatchewan should emulate the American policies of Safe Harbor Agreements and Habitat Conservation Plans with “no surprise” policies.