Farming for Species at Risk in Quebec

By learning more, we can protect better

When we think of agricultural land, agriculture, farming and ranching, we think of vast golden landscapes, scenic views, cattle and chicken, and red tractors. We may not associate agricultural land with species at risk. However, roaming in fields and flying high in the skies, several species at risk call agricultural lands their homes. 

With support from Environment Climate Change Canada, ALUS and its partners (UPA Montérégie and UPA Outaouais-Laurentides) have identified a list of species at risk that have legal protection in Canada (i.e. present in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act) which are present in our Québec ALUS communities of Montérégie and Outaouais.

It is also important to note that these species are at risk throughout all of Canada. 

Species at Risk in Quebec 

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Barn Swallow
(
Hirundo rustica)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

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Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

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Eastern Meadowlark
(
Sturnella magna)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet 

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Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

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Grasshopper Sparrow
(
Ammodramus savannarum pratensis)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

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Loggerhead Shrike
(
Lanius ludovicianus migrans)

Outaouais

Info Sheet

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Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

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Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee
(Bombus bohemicus)

Montérégie

Info Sheet

 

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Rusty-patched Bumble Bee
(Bombus affinis)

Montérégie

Info Sheet

 

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Yellow-banded Bumble Bee
(Bombus terricola)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

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Monarch
(Danaus plexippus)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

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Western Chorus Frog
(Pseudacris triseriata)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

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Blanding’s Turtle
(Emydoidea blandingii)

Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

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Wood Turtle
(Glyptemys insculpta)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

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Eastern Milksnake
(Lampropeltis triangulum)

Montérégie
Outaouais

Info Sheet

 

The benefits of species at risk on your farm

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Natural Predators

Some species will prey on insects and other species that are a nuisance to crops. 

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Pollination 

Some species will pollinate plants around fields and on fields. 

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Weed control 

Some species will consume unwanted vegetation.

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Natural Ecosystem Health Indicator 

The presence of some species can indicate a healthy ecosystem, such as in riparian ecosystems.

Farming Practices to Support Species at Risk

ALUS Brazeau Landscape Project

1. Cultivate a variety of herbaceous plants that bloom at different times of the season in marginal and riparian areas.

ALUS Brazeau Landscape Project

2. Create wide riparian buffers and buffer zones.

ALUS Brazeau Landscape Project

3. Adapt your mowing and pasturing practices. Consider delaying hay. 

ALUS Brazeau Landscape Project

4. Promote and conserve grasslands and forested areas.

ALUS Brazeau Landscape Project

5. Restore nesting habitats. Install nesting boxes.

ALUS Brazeau Landscape Project

6. Preserve old buildings (especially barns). 

Interested in establishing a project for species at risk on your farm? Contact your ALUS Coordinator.

ALUS Delayed Hay Projects

Martin Berger, ALUS Montérégie
(in French with English subtitles)

Victor Drury, ALUS Outaouais
(in French)

Do you have species at risk on your farm?

You have seen species at risk on your farm? We encourage you to  report it to your local environmental organisations and provincial entities to increase species at risk knowledge and presence on the landscape.

Report observations of species at risk:
Government of Quebec (in French) >

Interactive Guides

Species at Risk in Montérégie

(Click icon on the bottom right to enlarge)

Species at Risk in Outaouais

(Click icon on the bottom right to enlarge)

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada.