Species at risk in Ontario: An examination of environmental non-governmental organizations

Biodiversity loss and species at risk conservation are significant global environmental issues. In Ontario, one of Canada's largest and most biologically diverse provinces, the government passed stringent species at risk policy in 2007, which it has since failed to fully implement. Such failure leaves a void that must be filled by other actors. This paper examines that role that environmental non-governmental organizations (eNGOs) play in species at risk conservation in Ontario. A survey of 42 conservation eNGOs reveals that there is a small core group of dedicated eNGOs in the province. These groups maintain open lines of communication with landowners, government, and each other, while fulfilling the traditional roles of public education and advocacy. While there is no single eNGO in Ontario to champion species at risk as a single issue, there are numerous groups working together to improve species at risk conservation in the province.