Convenors

Amy Chabot (African Lion Safari & Canadian Species Initiative)

Jessica Steiner (Wilder Institute)

Founded in 2019, the Canadian Species Initiative (CSI) is a joint partnership between Wildlife Preservation Canada and African Lion Safari aimed at strengthening species recovery planning and implementation in Canada by promoting and applying the One Plan Approach and related CPSG workshop planning processes. CSI became CPSG’s Canada Regional Resource Centre in 2020, working closely together to develop and deliver workshops for Canadian species at risk. Our primary goal is to establish a coordinated and holistic effort to ensure ex situ management is given due consideration and effectively used for species conservation in Canada. We provide CPSG tools and processes for increasing awareness of potential ex situ conservation roles, evaluating their potential contribution to recovery efforts, and engaging a broad range of stakeholders in species conservation and collection planning. We are currently partnered with Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and work closely with members. We have been conducting broad outreach to increase awareness of CSI and CPSG amongst regional in situ and ex situ conservation stakeholders and encourage new partnerships.