The Mainland Moose was listed under the provincial Endangered Species Act in 2003, requiring the province to produce a Status Report, examining the state of the population, and a Recovery Plan, guiding actions for species recovery.

In the 18 years since listing, the province has repeatedly failed to deliver on its legal responsibilities to the Mainland Moose. A Status Report was created in 2003, as required by the Act, though data were limited to only a handful of uncited studies from the 1980s and 90s and sparse for South-West Nova Scotia. A Recovery Plan was released in 2007 (3 years late according to the legislation) which failed to identify Core Habitat or set a goal for recovery, stating only that existing numbers should be maintained. An Action Plan, created in 2013, offered some additional data, tools for stewardship, and opportunities for partnership, but little was accomplished by the 2018 “timeline” conclusion. The ineffective Recovery Plan, Action Plan, and lack of initiative from government in the years following prompted many criticisms from conservation, scientific, and legal organizations in the province.

The Mainland Moose is also one of the 6 Species At Risk featured in the Bancroft vs NS Lands and Forestry judicial review you helped our nature network prepare for over 2019-2020.

At court, we alleged that the province failed to establish a Recovery Team and create a Recovery Plan within the legal deadline (which is within one year of listing for Endangered species like the Mainland Moose), as well as to identify Core Habitat, as required by the Recovery Plan process.

We won the case and in late 2021, a year and a half later, government released an updated Recovery Plan for the Mainland Moose, complete with Core Habitat.

Immediate Action Needed on Research and Forestry Reform

This new Recovery Plan outlines, for the first time ever, a population target assuming recovery of the species and a 20 year goal for increasing numbers: 5000 individuals including 500 breeding, an increase of potentially ~4000 individual moose. The Plan also identifies Core Habitat, using a combination of existing population data and known and projected suitable habitat.

Nature Nova Scotia commends the province for finally producing a sound plan for the Mainland Moose and, in particular, for emphasizing the immediate need for additional research and changes to forestry practices in moose habitat. Now, Nova Scotians must hold government to this plan. Help us save the Mainland Moose by taking the following actions today:

• Demand the Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables designate Core Habitat for the Mainland Moose and implement regulations to protect the species, as identified and recommended by the moose Recovery Team
• Show your support for ecological forestry by putting up one of our Save Species At Risk lawn signs and demand Ecological Forestry Now!
• Help us fundraise for vital research by making a donation to our Species At Risk Fund. We need to improve our understanding of where Mainland Moose are in the landscape, how populations are changing over time, and what management techniques are most likely to result in population growth.

Last year, we learned the importance of speaking up for nature. Hikers, hunters, hobby naturalists, and retired scientists can make a difference when we work together. Join us.