Ministry of Environment Endangered Species and Ecosystems

What is Endangered ?

Endangered means at risk of becoming extinct.

British Columbia is home to tens of thousands of plant and animal species living in a rich diversity of habitats. Many of these species and their habitats are at risk.

This site is a gateway to information about endangered species and ecological communities (ecosystems) in BC.

You can:

• Get detailed information on rare and endangered species and ecosystems in BC through the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. Information includes status, distribution, life histories, conservation needs, recovery plans and more.

• Generate lists of BC plant and animal species and ecosystems and link to related documents. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer;

• Find out how we decide that a species is endangered; Species Ranking in British Columbia (pdf);

• Find out how we decide that a ecological community is endangered; Ecological Communities in British Columbia: Conservation Status Assessment Factor (pdf)

• Find out which species and ecosystems are designated as Identified Wildlife; BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer

• Learn about the status of Recovery Planning for species and ecosystems in the province;

• Find national and global information about species in BC and beyond. NatureServe Explorer;

• Link to provincial agencies working with endangered species; Provincial Resources

• Link to other agencies working with endangered species; Other Links

• Locate relevant reports and publications; Reports and Publications

• Link to complete records for known locations of Red- and Blue-listed species and ecosystems; Mapped Known Locations

• Read legislation pertinent to endangered species in BC; Legislation

You can also help us by reporting locations of species and ecological communities, submitting information sources (references) and suggestions for additional websites.