The goal of this dataset is to help guide the site selection process to areas with lower risk to Alberta's wildlife and wildlife habitat. The dataset was developed in concert with the Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects and Wildlife Directive for Alberta Solar Energy Projects and reflects potential risks to wildlife and wildlife habitat. Risk value zones and habitat features identified within the Directives have been ranked as follows: Critical Wildlife Zones and Non-Accessible Areas: Areas included in this category are either designated as protected areas or identified as critical importance for one or more wildlife species of conservation concern. These areas also included non-accessible areas such as National and Provincial Parks and Protected areas, military bases, and named waterbodies. These areas must be avoided by renewable energy projects. High Risk: Several Wildlife Sensitivity Layers are ranked as High Risk since these areas are likely used by one or more species at risk or priority management species. The Directives recommend avoiding areas ranked as high risk. Moderate Risk: These wildlife habitat areas are considered to be at a moderate risk since species at risk or priority management species can likely inhabit these areas. Due to the close proximity to native grasslands and the potential of habitat values existing for multiple species in these areas, there will likely be risks that could require mitigation considerations and potentially added costs to siting renewable energy projects in these areas. Lower Risk: The remaining areas of wildlife habitat of the province are considered to be at lower risk since the chance of a species at risk or priority management species occurring in these areas is less likely than the other ranked areas. The lower risk areas are typically between 500 - 1000 meters from native grassland. However, there is still the potential of these areas possessing quality wildlife habitat. If a species at risk feature is identified, mitigation is required as per the Directives which may impact the overall project costs, siting and operations. For more information on risk categories and methods used to create this dataset, please visit the following link: http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-land-use-guidelines/documents/InterpretingWildlifeHabitatSensitivityMap-Aug-2017.pdf

The wildlife values area and site datasets represent the consolidation of 13 wildlife data classes collected by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The data estimates locations used by wildlife for various reasons, including: * breeding * calving and fawning * denning * feeding * staging * nesting * wintering * general habitat areas * nurseries * travel corridors Locations are represented as points (site) or polygons (area) and may be related to a specific species or described more generally. Wildlife values data is most often used to support policy and legislation associated with the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. The data may also be used to inform a wide range of resource management activities and decisions. There are additional sensitive features related to provincially tracked species and species at risk that are not available as part of the open data package. Sensitive features are subject to licensing and approvals and may be requested by contacting [geospatial@ontario.ca](geospatial@ontario.ca).

The dataset contains approved legal boundaries for wildlife habitat areas and specified areas for species at risk and regionally important wildlife. Additional information including approved orders associated with WHAs is available [here](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/apps/faw/wharesult.cgi?search=show_approved).

This dataset shows official trails and points of interest within Wildlife Management Areas in Manitoba.This dataset shows official trails and points of interest within Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Manitoba. Trails The purpose of this layer is to show recognized trails in Manitoba's wildlife management areas (WMAs). These include designated trails for vehicles, and hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails. Fields included (alias (field name): field description) OBJECTID (OBJECTID): sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated WMA (WMA_Name): wildlife management area name Trail Name (Trail_Name): trail name or number Type (Type): trail type (e.g., walking or biking) Restrictions (Restrictions): use restrictions for the trail Points of Interest The purpose of this layer is to show important points of interest within Manitoba's wildlife management areas (WMAs). These include watercraft access points, interpretative kiosks, trail heads, picnic areas, primitive toilets, and ecological features like snake dens. Fields included (alias (field name): field description) OBJECTID (OBJECTID): sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated WMA (WMA_Name): wildlife management area name Feature Name (Feat_Name): name of the point of interest Type (Type): type of feature (e.g., trailhead, interpretive centre) Details (Details): details about the point of interest More information (Info): link to additional information about the point of interest, when available

The wildlife values area and site datasets represent the consolidation of 13 wildlife data classes collected by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The data estimates locations used by wildlife for various reasons, including: * breeding * calving and fawning * denning * feeding * staging * nesting * wintering * general habitat areas * nurseries * travel corridors Locations are represented as points (site) or polygons (area) and may be related to a specific species or described more generally. Wildlife values data is most often used to support policy and legislation associated with the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. The data may also be used to inform a wide range of resource management activities and decisions. There are additional sensitive features related to provincially tracked species and species at risk that are not available as part of the open data package. Sensitive features are subject to licensing and approvals and may be requested by contacting [geospatial@ontario.ca](geospatial@ontario.ca).

Woodland caribou habitat potential within the provincial forest of central and northern Saskatchewan has been identified by Saskatchewan, using a forest ecosite geographic information system layer which has been mapped for the SK1 area.Download: hereCaribou habitat potential has been categorized into low, moderate and high classes based on the biophysical attributes of the Saskatchewan ecosite classification (McLaughlan et al., 2010) and their utility and function for caribou. Forest ecosites represent information about a site's tree species, plant-abundance and soil and site characteristics. Forest ecosite habitat potential ranks were assigned by individually evaluating the ecosite's potential to provide forage, refuge and calving habitat. Habitat potential refers to the ability or capability of a habitat type to support a wildlife species for its various life requirements. Potential does not consider the current state of the habitat (e.g., recently burned or harvested), but its optimal state.Habitat Potential Classes: Low habitat potential = 0 Moderate habitat potential = 1 High habitat potential = 2 

Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and Quagga Mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) have a long history of invasion in European and North American freshwater ecosystems, with significant ecological and economic impacts. An ecological risk assessment for these two invasive species for freshwater ecosystems in Canada was completed in April 2022 with the aim to provide science-based guidance to inform management decisions and actions. These include early detection, response planning, and/or regulatory and policy measures aimed at mitigating the potential spread and risk posed by Zebra and Quagga Mussels to Canadian freshwater ecosystems (DFO 2023). The Potential for Introduction (propagule pressure and connectivity), the Potential for Establishment (habitat suitability, including a Calcium-based and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt)-based model), the Potential for Invasion, and the Ecological Impacts were used to derive Ecological Risk for Zebra and Quagga Mussels in Canada. This assessment did not evaluate the risk to individual waterbodies but rather was conducted at a 9,260 m x 9,260 m grid cell resolution. These high resolution maps are provided here. Maps of Ecological Risk at the sub-drainage level are also provided. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is not responsible for any omissions or errors that may be contained in this dataset and shall not be liable for any losses, financial or otherwise, due to the use of these data. Please credit Wilcox et al. 2024 as the source of the data in any maps, reports, or articles that are printed or published on paper or the Internet.

The Broad Ecosystem Inventory (BEI) Classification provides broad regional information about the distribution of ecosystems throughout the province and the value of these ecosystems to wildlife. This is done in order to facilitate the use of wildlife information in broad provincial and regional land and resource planning initiatives. Broad Ecosystem Units are mapped based on imagery of the provincial land base generally captured at a scale of 1:250,000. BEI mapping represents forest conditions from approximately 1995 to 2000. The BEI Classification was used to produce wildlife habitat capability and suitability mapping following Provincial Wildlife Habitat Ratings (WHR) Standards (Resource Inventory Committee 1999). Habitat classifications were based on BEI units. BEI units were evaluated and rated to determine the habitat potential (capability) and current habitat conditions (suitability) for selected dry forests and grassland birds within each seral stage within each Broad Ecosystem Unit (and related site modifier variation) within the framework of Ecosections and Biogeoclimatic Sub-zone/Variants for their ability to supply the species’ necessary life requisites. The data represented by the habitat capability and suitability maps for this project was obtained from a team consisting of a bird species expert, a habitat expert, and a data manager. A regional expert review was conducted in September 2002 involving Species at Risk Biologists, Habitat Biologists, and Wildlife Biologists from the Cariboo, Thompson, Okanagan Regions.

Caribou habitat management areas identify zones ("tiers") with similar importance to caribou, potential risks and primary strategies for caribou conservation.These Final Caribou Habitat Management Areas (CHMAs) are based on known woodland caribou use and habitat potential mapping; in addition, levels of both human-caused and wildfire disturbances were also taken into consideration. Tier 1 areas were selected because they include high-moderate caribou habitat potential with high levels of observed caribou use and low levels of human-caused disturbance. Tier 2 areas were selected because they include areas of high-moderate woodland caribou habitat potential with observed use and higher levels of wildfire and human-caused disturbance. Tier 3 areas provide general habitat and maintain habitat connectivity between Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas. These areas are not permanent: they will be updated as habitat conditions, land use and caribou populations change over time. Different strategies have been developed for each Tier based on their stated management objectives and relative importance to and known use by caribou, current habitat condition and potential risks. A two page overview of the SK2 West Woodland Caribou Range Plan and the CHMAs can be viewed here: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/122354 Find out more about woodland caribou and what the province is doing to manage their habitat and protect their populations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/wildlife-species-at-risk/woodland-caribou-program

The Broad Ecosystem Inventory (BEI) Classification provides broad regional information about the distribution of ecosystems throughout the province and the value of these ecosystems to wildlife. This work is done in order to facilitate the use of wildlife information in broad provincial and regional land and resource planning initiatives. Broad Ecosystem Units are mapped based on imagery of the provincial land base generally captured at a scale of 1:250,000. BEI mapping represents forest conditions from approximately 1995 to 2000. The BEI Classification was used to produce wildlife habitat capability and suitability mapping following Provincial Wildlife Habitat Ratings (WHR) Standards (Resource Inventory Committee 1999). Habitat classifications were based on BEI units. BEI units were evaluated and rated to determine the habitat potential (capability) and current habitat conditions (suitability) for selected wild ungulates and furbearers within each seral stage within each Broad Ecosystem Unit (and related site modifier variation) within the framework of Ecosections and Biogeoclimatic Sub-zone/Variants for their ability to supply the species’ necessary life requisites. Regional Wildlife and Habitat biologists, technicians, Forest Ecosystem Specialists, and consulting species experts provided species habitat ratings for each region of the province. Wildlife habitat capability and suitability mapping was completed for the following wild ungulates and furbearers: Northwestern Moose, Alaskan Moose, Shiras' Moose, Bison, Rocky Mountain Elk, Roosevelt Elk, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, Sitka Black-tailed Deer, White-tailed Deer, Dakota White-tailed Deer, Northwestern White-tailed Deer, Boreal Woodland Caribou, Mountain Woodland Caribou, Northern Woodland Caribou, Lynx, Bobcat, and American Badger. Habitat mapping followed Provincial Wildlife Habitat Ratings (WHR) Standards (Resource Inventory Committee 1999).