P.E.I. landowners asked how far they'll go to protect species at risk

A research project at UPEI is underway, to determine how willing Island landowners are to protect at-risk species.

That includes plants and animals that are endangered, threatened, or of "special concern."

The first phase of the study began last year, and now a survey has been sent out to about 500 farms across the Island.

It includes questions about whether landowners can identify species at risk and if they've ever tried to protect them.

Leading the research is Carolyn Peach-Brown, director of environmental studies at UPEI.

"The goal of this research is to really understand how rural landowners in Prince Edward Island are taking action to protect species at risk on their private land," she said. "This type of research can provide information to government as they develop policies or programs around species at risk."

5 species endangered

According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), P.E.I. is home to five species considered to be endangered, including the little brown bat and the piping plover.

An additional 17 species are listed as threatened or of special concern.

Peach-Brown says so far about 100 surveys have been filled out and returned.

The landowners can choose to keep their answers anonymous.

The two-year study is supported by the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund.

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