2023 SAR Speaker Series 2 Presentation

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Species at Risk and 
Critical Habitat Protection on Non-federal Lands
Species at Risk Biologists: Carrina Maslovat and Laura Matthias
Canadian Wildlife Service: Undiné Thompson
March 2, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
All Photos © Laura Matthias (unless otherwise noted)

1) Thank you to Wendy for inviting us to be part of the seminar series. We presented this talk to a group of land 
managers that we work closely with and we’re looking forward to sharing with all of you. We’ve left time at the end 
to answer questions. 
8SAR Speaker Series #2 - March 2, 2023

1. What does it 
mean to have 
Critical Habitat on 
lands you manage?
2. What 
stewardship actions 
can you take to 
protect rare 
species?
Two Key Questions:

Garry Oak 
ecosystems and 
open Douglas-fir 
forest

Garry Oak and associated ecosystems and open Douglas-fir forests are extremely rare in the CDFmm biogeoclimatic
zone. Less than 5% remains. These areas have habitat for over 100 SAR including many that are federally listed under 
COSEWIC. The remaining areas are under extreme pressure by the public for recreation use since these ecosystems are 
found in highly populated areas of the province.
10SAR Speaker Series #2 - March 2, 2023

Sharp-tailed Snake (Contiatenuis)  
* Coastal Population is Threatened federally 
(Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in 
Canada-COSEWIC)
* Endangered under the Species at Risk Act
* Red-listed provincially 

Much of our work has been focused on one of these rare species, STS, and we’ll be using this species as an example in 
the presentation today. Many of the known STS sites have CH designated and all require some form of stewardship.
STS are a small, cryptic snake that spends most of its time below ground, often under loose woody debris or talus slopes. 
It’s about the size of a pencil and its secretive nature makes it challenging to find during traditional surveys. STS lay eggs 
(unlike out local garter snakes that have live young) and therefore require warm sunny locations for incubation to keep 
their eggs warm. These snakes are non-venomous and do not bite.
11SAR Speaker Series #2 - March 2, 2023

Photo: L. Matthias
Photo: Ryan Batten
Species at Risk 
associated with Sharp-
tailed Snake habitat
Photo: C. Maslovat

When we’re out doing surveys, we also take note of other rare species so that landowners are aware of which species at 
risk are on lands that they manage. Some of these species are federally listed under the SARA and other species are 
listed as being at risk provincially. These photos show some of the rare species that we encounter when doing STS 
surveys. Protecting critical habitat for STS will also protect these species. Stewardship actions for STS will also protect 
these species. STS= umbrella species.
12SAR Speaker Series #2 - March 2, 2023

Where are 
Sharp-tailed 
Snakes found?

Global distribution. They are found in BC, Washington, Oregon and California.
13SAR Speaker Series #2 - March 2, 2023

Where are 
Sharp-tailed 

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