Rare Plant and Animal Species

Source: PEI Ecosystem-Based Forest Management Standards Manual (October 2025), p. 37

Species of special concern

“Special concern” covers uncommon, rare or endangered native plants and animals, plus any species on the provincial Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action’s species list. The same section of the manual also covers invasive species.

Rare species

A rare species occurs naturally on PEI and has a population of conservation concern. Specifically, it is ranked S1, S2 or S3 by the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre (AC CDC):

Eligibility

• A consultant identifies a species of conservation concern, and a PEI Forests, Fish and Wildlife professional confirms it is present.
• The site proposed for conservation or restoration meets the conditions the species needs.

Standards and assessment

1. Plan: identify what the species specifically needs for conservation or restoration. The consultant proposes a plan, and a PEI Forests, Fish and Wildlife professional must approve it.
2. Monitor and report: track and report how well the conservation or restoration techniques work.

Longer-term protection. Landowners may be eligible to put a Conservation Agreement on their land. See the Government of PEI website for details.

Where rare species show up in other standards

• General standards: confirmed rare species must be conserved and managed (Diversity Enhancement).
• Herbicide work: the pre-application inspection must confirm rare plants are absent (Chemical Site Preparation).
• Enrichment planting: can be used to conserve or restore rare species (Enrichment Planting).
• Roads and trails: plans must account for rare plants and wildlife (Roads, Trails).

Based on the PEI Ecosystem-Based Forest Management Standards Manual (October 2025), p. 37. S-rank meanings follow the standard NatureServe scale used by AC CDC. Where this guide and the manual differ, the manual governs.