Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

Species at Risk Monitoring Program

The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek reserve is pristine habitat for Species at Risk (SAR), especially reptiles, as it has been relatively undisturbed by development compared to areas to the north, east, and west of the reserve.

SVS assisted Atikameksheng Anishnawbek in working towards establishing a baseline SAR reptile inventory for the Atikameksheng reserve for future SAR research, monitoring and protection purposes. The objectives of the project were to build capacity within the community in relation to SAR stewardship and management, identify threats, and develop mitigation and recovery initiatives. The project team combined Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and field surveys to gather data related to SAR reptile sightings.

Project Impact

The project filled knowledge gaps related to SAR presence on the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek reserve, and educated and trained Atikameksheng citizens about SAR identification and surveying to enable and inspire the community to become involved in SAR stewardship. Trained community members were employed full time as Community Research Technicians during the project.