Progress Towards the Implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for: Rouge National Urban Park of Canada

2026

Species at Risk Act

Multi-Species Action Plan Report Series

Long description for cover image

The cover page is a series of 5 photos arranged in a clockwise order. The prominent picture at the top left is a photo of a forested river valley in Rouge National Urban Park with a hydro corridor in distant background. Next is an adult Blanding’s Turtle resting on a log. Next is a Monarch butterfly resting on a cluster of pale pink milkweed blossoms. The next photo shows multiple bats roosting side by side inside a wooden bat box. The final picture is small Midland Painted Turtle hatchling resting in the palm of a black-gloved hand beside a wetland.

Cover photos, clockwise from top left: Rouge National Urban Park (RNUP) landscape, Ernesto Rosa, Parks Canada Agency (PCA); Blanding’s Turtle, Jory Mullen, PCA; Monarch butterfly, Gary James, PCA; Bats in a bat box, Ernesto Rosa, PCA; Midland Painted Turtle on a gloved hand, Jeremy Hynes This page: Wetland restoration project in RNUP, Julia Leith, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Page i: Tree planting event in RNUP, Marlene Duhig, PCA Page ii: Snapping Turtle hatchling, Marlene Duhig, PCA Page 29: Parks Canada (PC) staff monitoring a bat box, Leilah Dhore-Beckles, PCA; Barn swallow nestlings, Gary James, PCA Page 30: Eastern Gartersnake in gloved hands, Amy Kikuchi, PCA; Barn swallow replacement structures in RNUP, Melissa Martins, PCA Page 37: Volunteers planting trees in RNUP, Marlene Duhig, PCA Page 38: An established wetland complex in RNUP, Ernesto Rosa, PCA Page 39: Members of Six Nations of the Grand River and PC staff holding Snapping Turtle hatchlings, Leilah Dhore-Beckles, PCA Page 40: Midland Painted turtle release, Leilah Dhore-Beckles, PCA Page 41: Rouge Beach, Ishkhan Ghazarian, PCA

Également disponible en français sous le titre: Rapport de mise en œuvre : Plan d’action visant des espèces multiples dans le parc urbain national de la Rouge du Canada (2021-2026)

ISBN 978-1-100-00634-5
Catalogue no. CW69-21/73-1-2026E-PDF

Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission with appropriate credit to the source.

Preface

Parks Canada’s multi-species action plans address a suite of species of conservation concern within one or more Parks Canada managed areas, including but not limited to species that require an action plan under the Species at Risk Act. The Multi-Species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park was posted on October 7, 2021.

The Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) requires the competent minister to report on the implementation of action plans for species at risk and progress towards meeting their objectives (s.55) five years after posting to the SARA Public Registry.

Under SARA, the minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency is the competent minister for individuals occurring in lands and waters administered by Parks Canada and therefore has prepared this progress report.

Acknowledgements

Parks Canada would like to acknowledge those who have contributed to implementation of the Multi-Species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park of Canada, especially the Rouge National Urban Park First Nations Advisory Circle (FNAC), volunteers, partner communities, stakeholders and experts who participated in discussions, consultations and the execution of conservation and recovery measures.

Implementation of the action plan was strengthened by the support and participation of representatives from the FNAC communities who contributed to Parks Canada’s current understanding of areas of mutual interest. The Rouge National Urban Park FNAC consists of the seven Wiliams Treaties First Nations – Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Beausoleil First Nation – as well as Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River and Wendat Nation.

A number of key partners have contributed to the implementation of the multi-species action plan and our improved understanding of these species. Special thanks are extended to: Environment and Climate Change Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Natural Resources Canada; the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; the Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Conservation and Parks; the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; City of Toronto; City of Markham; City of Pickering; City of Stouffville; Township of Uxbridge; York Region; Durham Region; the Rouge National Urban Park Advisory Committee; Friends of Rouge National Urban Park; Markham Butterflyway Rangers; Birds Canada; the Forest Gene Conservation Association; 10,000 Trees for the Rouge; Ontario Streams; the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; the Toronto Zoo; the University of Toronto; Trent University; Wildlife Preservation Canada; Eco-Kare International; Canadian Wildlife Federation; Waterfront Regeneration Trust; the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre; Toronto Wildlife Centre; Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre; Canadian Wildlife Heath Cooperative; Rouge National Urban Park volunteers; park tenants and farmers who steward habitat and welcome staff onto their leases to conduct research and monitoring; and to all those who contributed their time and expertise throughout this process. If we are to succeed in maintaining biodiversity and forever see these sites as places of refuge, resilience and renewal, we must work together as co-stewards of the land.

Executive Summary

This document reports on implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park of Canada between 2021 and 2026. It reports on the implementation of measures identified in the plan, assesses progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives and evaluates socio-economic impacts.

Species Addressed^{Footnote 1}

The action plan addressed 42 SARA-listed species and eight species of conservation concern. Site-based population and distribution objectives were identified for eight species, for which management actions within Rouge National Urban Park could have a measurable impact on species recovery: Blanding’s Turtle, Butternut, Eastern Milksnake, Eastern Pondmussel, Midland Painted Turtle, Northern Map Turtle, Redside Dace and Snapping Turtle.

Long description of diagram

A donut diagram that reflects the SARA classifications of species at risk within this report. There are 50 species in total, including 15 Endangered species, 10 Threatened species, 17 Special Concern species, and 8 non-SARA listed species of conservation concern.^{Footnote 2}

Implementation of the Action Plan

50 measures were identified as commitments in the multi-species action plan. Implementation was assessed by determining progress towards completing each committed measure^{Footnote 3}. During the five-year period, 43 measures (86%) were completed, four remain in progress, one was not started and two were cancelled as they were no longer relevant. An additional nine measures identified in the action plan were implemented because resources and/or partnerships became available to support the work.

Long description of diagram

Donut diagram showing that 86% of the measures in the action plan have been completed. There are 50 measures in total, including 43 that were completed, 4 in progress, 1 not started and 2 that were cancelled.

Ecological Impacts

8 site-based, population and distribution objectives (PDOs) were developed for the action plan. Ecological impacts were assessed by measuring progress towards achieving each of the site-based PDOs^{Footnote 4}. Six PDOs (75%) were achieved and two PDOs had insufficient information.

Long description of diagram

Donut diagram showing that 75% of the Population and Distribution Objectives were achieved. There are 8 site-based population and distribution objectives in total, 6 of which were achieved and 2 of which had insufficient information.

Socio-economic Impacts

The measures proposed in the action plan had limited socio-economic impact and placed no restrictions on land outside the boundary of Rouge National Urban Park. Direct costs of implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada with additional funds provided by Natural Resources Canada through the 2 Billion Trees Program. Indirect costs were minimal, while benefits included positive impacts on park ecological integrity, greater awareness of species and enhanced opportunities for engagement of visitors, local communities and Indigenous Nations.

Long description of diagram

Overlapping circle diagram to illustrate that the socio-economic section includes Environmental, Social, and Economic considerations.

Context

This document reports on implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park of Canada between 2021 and 2026, assesses progress towards meeting its population and distribution objectives and evaluates its socio-economic impacts.

Considerations related to landscape-scale conservation, ecological connectivity, climate-smart conservation, Indigenous conservation and/or culturally important species were central themes in the implementation of this action plan.

It addresses 50 species, including 25 SARA-listed Endangered and Threatened species (for which an action plan is required) as well as 17 SARA-listed Special Concern species^{Footnote 5} and eight species of conservation concern. Butternut, Black Ash, Lake Sturgeon, Atlantic Salmon and American Eel were included in this action plan because they are culturally significant species for members of the Rouge National Urban Park First Nations Advisory Circle.

Site-based population and distribution objectives were developed for eight species for which implementation of measures within Rouge National Urban Park could have a measurable impact on recovery: Blanding’s Turtle, Butternut, Eastern Milksnake, Eastern Pondmussel, Midland Painted Turtle, Northern Map Turtle, Redside Dace and Snapping Turtle.

Implementation of the Action Plan

Implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park of Canada was assessed by measuring progress towards completing the conservation and recovery measures identified in the action plan (Table 1). Refer to the original action plan for a description of each measure, the recovery measure objective and the threats that each measure addresses. An update on the status of each measure (complete, in progress, not started or cancelled^{Footnote 6}) and activities undertaken during the reporting period is provided below.

Table 1. Progress towards completing conservation and recovery measures identified as commitments in the Multi-Species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park of Canada
Species^{Footnote 7} and measure description	Measure objective	Status	Description of progress
1) Butternut: Increase in-house capacity: Ensure at least two Resource Conservation staff members are trained in distinguishing hybrids using phenotypic characteristics and are certified as Butternut Health Assessors (if certification in Butternut Heath Assessment is available).	Two Resource Conservation staff members are familiar with Ontario’s published guidance on how to assess the health of Butternut trees and distinguish hybrids from pure individuals based on phenotypic characteristics.	Complete	In 2024, three Resource Conservation staff attended the Butternut Health Assessor course and have subsequently conducted Butternut Health Assessments and hybridity assessments of trees in the park.
2) Forest species at risk (SAR) birds: Forest bird population monitoring: To identify populations/occurrences of species at risk and other forest birds and to monitor their long-term populations in RNUP by: a) Implementing a forest bird monitoring protocol in RNUP led by resource conservation staff b) Supporting the implementation of Birds Canada’s Forest Bird Monitoring Program (FBMP) point counts in RNUP	The forest bird monitoring protocol will be developed and initiated by resource conservation staff in 2021. Birds Canada’s FBMP point counts have been implemented in RNUP by 2022.	Complete	The RNUP forest bird monitoring protocol was developed and implemented by 2021. Birds Canada’s FBMP point counts were implemented in 2020. The protocol focused on 21 focal species, including Eastern Wood-Pewee and Wood Thrush.
3) Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Tri-coloured bat: Population monitoring: In partnership with the Toronto Zoo, continue acoustic monitoring at long- and short-term sites, trapping and radio tracking in forest patches throughout RNUP.	To determine occupancy, distribution, assess reproduction and identify important foraging and roosting sites.	Complete	Annual monitoring by the Toronto Zoo, including acoustic surveys, trapping, and radio-telemetry, confirmed the presence of seven of Ontario’s eight bat species (all except Eastern Small-footed Myotis). Reproductive populations of Northern Myotis, Little Brown Myotis, Big Brown Bat, and Eastern Red Bat were documented. Radio-telemetry also identified new roosts and key foraging corridors throughout RNUP.
4) Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Tri-coloured bat: Education and outreach: Outreach to the public, contractors and tenants about bat maternity roosts, threats to the species and potential human health hazards, particularly in areas where building decommissioning may occur.	For any work at, or near, a known bat colony, PCA staff have proactively engaged the proponent on bat stewardship and education. Printed materials highlighting best management practices (BMPs), encouraging stewardship and increasing awareness are created and ready for distribution by 2024.	Complete	An informational pamphlet about coexisting with bats was developed in partnership with the Toronto Zoo. Monitoring and engagement with assets staff, contractors and tenants took place when work altering roofs, chimneys, soffits and fascia, attics or building decommissioning within RNUP was planned. In situations where bats were present, appropriate mitigations were implemented and tenants were educated on bat stewardship.
5) Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Tri-coloured Bat: Habitat augmentation and effectiveness monitoring: Replacement bat structures will be installed at all building decommissioning sites where significant bat roosts have been identified. Bat structures will be monitored for activity annually, for a minimum of three years following installation.	Replacement bat structures are installed at all building decommissioning sites where significant bat roosts have been identified. All replacement structures have been monitored for activity annually for a minimum of three years following installation.	Complete	A large bat condo was installed near a house with a bat colony that was scheduled to be decommissioned due to health and safety concerns. The bat condo was installed two years prior to the house decommissioning and monitored annually. To date, no bats have been observed using the bat condo. At another location, three bat boxes and one rocket box were placed on the outside of a house with a known bat roost that required an emergency roof repair. Although unoccupied for the first two years, all three bat boxes were occupied by the third year, including one with 43 bats.
6) Forest SAR: Reforestation: Reforestation of 30 hectares with a focus on increasing interior forest habitat and connectivity of forest patches throughout the park.	An additional 30 hectares of land is reforested in RNUP.	Complete	Over 150 hectares of reforestation planting has taken place since 2021, including infill planting. Much of this work has been funded through the federal 2 Billion Trees initiative and has been implemented in collaboration with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and 10,000 Trees for the Rouge.
7) Forest SAR: Forest prescriptions: Create prescriptions for the management of previous planting initiatives (10-15 years old) to reduce monocultures, increase forest canopy openings and improve diversity.	Complete a minimum of five forest prescriptions.	Complete	In partnership with TRCA, a document titled "Enhanced Forest Management Guide and Prescriptions" was created which details five forest prescriptions for historically planted sites in RNUP.
8) Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Tri-coloured Bat: Produce, share and promote best management practices (BMPs) for retaining dead or dying trees or limbs: Work with partners to create a BMP promoting the retention of dead or dying trees or limbs through the implementation of best management practices such as trimming dangerous branches and leaving large stumps, retaining dead individuals leaning away from assets or public areas and retaining all dead or dying trees or limbs that do not pose a risk to assets or people. Information from this document will be shared across the PCA, with the public, tenants and contractors working in RNUP.	A BMP document for retaining dead or dying trees or limbs is created by 2023. BMPs for retaining dead or dying trees or limbs are shared and promoted virtually across the PCA, with the public, tenants and contractors working in RNUP.	Complete	A Standard Operating Procedure for retaining dead or dying trees and limbs in Rouge National Urban Park was created. Best management practices were communicated verbally and through Impact Assessment processes to staff, contractors and tenants.
9) Forest SAR: Examine impacts of deer browse on native forest vegetation: Conduct deer browse surveys in-house as part of the Park’s ecological integrity monitoring program. Collaborate with partners who have existing data to identify gaps and analyze ecosystem impacts.	To determine the extent of deer browse on native forest vegetation and identify priority areas for management actions.	Cancelled	Deer browse surveys were conducted from 2020-2022. Initial results showed that the protocol was not suitable for deer in RNUP. Other protocols including deer pellet counts, camera traps, hair snares and drone surveys were considered; however, unforeseen complications resulted in the cancellation of this measure.
10) SAR turtles: Volunteer turtle nest monitoring program: Initiate a volunteer turtle nest monitoring program including predetermined survey routes of known and potential turtle nesting areas.	Volunteers survey four predetermined routes at least twice per week throughout the nesting season.	Complete	The volunteer turtle nest monitoring program was initiated in 2022 and implemented annually. In total, 83 volunteers participated in the program over the five years to ensure surveys routes were consistently monitored through the nesting season.
11) SAR turtles: Turtle nest protection: Opportunistically protect nests from egg predation through the placement of nest protection cages in naturalized areas where the nests are less vulnerable to destruction and poaching.	100% of nests found in lower risk areas are protected using nest protection cages.	Complete	In total, 11 nests were protected using nest protection cages.
12) SAR turtles: Turtle nest protection cage lending program: Implement a turtle nest protection cage lending program and host a nest protection cage building workshop for park tenants and the general public. Provide education on proper installation and monitoring techniques and general turtle nesting outreach to participants.	The nest protection cage lending program is advertised via the annual tenant newsletter and social media channels. One nest protection cage building workshop is hosted annually.	Complete	Since 2021, six nest protection cages were lent out and returned. In partnership with the Toronto Zoo, one turtle nest protection workshop was hosted annually from 2021-2024 where information on proper nest protection cage construction, installation and monitoring was shared with participants.
13) SAR turtles: Turtle egg collection, incubation and release: Collect turtle eggs from nests at high risk of destruction for incubation ex-situ and release. High-risk areas include roadsides, parking lots, agricultural fields and heavily used trails.	All eggs from active nests identified in high-risk areas have been collected and incubated. All hatchlings are released in a suitable location in close proximity to the original nest site.	Complete	All nests in high-risk areas were collected and incubated. A total of 50 Snapping Turtle nests, 101 Midland Painted Turtle nests and one Blanding’s Turtle nest were collected, resulting in the release of 1,214 Snapping Turtle and 501 Midland Painted Turtle hatchlings. The Blanding’s Turtle nest was sent to the Toronto Zoo’s head-start program and 10 individuals were released back into the park in 2024 as two-year-old turtles.
14) SAR turtles: Non-native turtle management: Implement new permit conditions requiring researchers who encounter or trap non-native turtles (Red-eared Sliders, Yellow-bellied Sliders, etc.) to remove them and bring them to PCA staff. Encourage visitors and tenants to report sightings of non-native turtle species to park staff. Partner with veterinarians and rescue agencies to rehome or humanely euthanize any non-native turtles encountered.	All non-native turtle species encountered by staff, contractors, tenants, visitors, etc., are reported to Resource Conservation staff and removed from the wild in RNUP.	Complete	In total, three Red-eared Sliders were captured and removed from the wild in RNUP.
15) Blanding’s Turtle: Blanding’s Turtle Head-start Program: Continue to work with the Toronto Zoo and support the Blanding’s turtle head-starting and reintroduction program.	New suitable release sites have been identified by 2022. A minimum of 200 head-started turtles are released by 2026.	Complete	In collaboration with the Toronto Zoo, two additional release sites were identified by 2022 and an additional seven were identified by 2026. Since 2021, 330 head-started Blanding’s Turtles have been released, bringing the total released since the project’s inception, to 600.
16) Western Chorus Frog: Acoustic surveys: In partnership with the Toronto Zoo, install acoustic monitors at current and historic Western Chorus Frog locations; a minimum of five different wetland complexes and ephemeral pools annually.	To confirm presence of the species in wetland complexes and ephemeral pools across RNUP.	Complete	In 2021, eight Autonomous Recording Units (ARU) were deployed throughout RNUP to further build upon monitoring that took place in 2018 and 2020. Western Chorus Frogs were not detected using the ARUs.
17) Western Chorus Frog: Implement a Standardized Western Chorus Frog monitoring protocol: Partner with groups leading range-wide monitoring efforts in Ontario to implement standardized monitoring of sites in RNUP. Contribute data for this species to range-wide efforts.	To implement a standard Western Chorus Frog monitoring protocol at sites in RNUP by 2022.	Complete	A standardized protocol for monitoring Western Chorus Frogs was implemented from 2021-2025. Blazing Star Environmental, Canadian Wildlife Service, and Trent University used the data to develop a long-term monitoring program aimed at estimating the distribution of the Western Chorus Frogs in Canada and tracking changes in its range over time. There were no confirmed Western Chorus Frog observations in RNUP.
18) Western Chorus Frog: Education and outreach: Send out educational emails to the RNUP staff and volunteer email lists every February. Encourage staff and volunteers to learn to recognize Western Chorus Frog vocalizations and to report acoustic observations to resource conservation staff.	Educational emails encouraging reports of Western Chorus Frog vocalizations are emailed to staff and volunteers each February. Any reports received by resource conservation staff are further investigated and confirmed.	Complete	Annual social media posts and email blasts were sent to tenants, volunteers and park staff from 2021-2026 encouraging people to submit reports of Western Chorus Frog heard throughout the park. Seven potential Western Chorus Frog observations were submitted. All audio files were reviewed and followed up with targeted field surveys, but none of the reports were confirmed as Western Chorus Frog.
19) Least Bittern: Population monitoring: Partner with Birds Canada to conduct the Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) annually at sites that meet the MMP protocol criteria and are suitable for the target species at risk. Incidental observations of all species at risk will be recorded (e.g. Black Tern, King Rail, Western Chorus Frog and Yellow Rail).	The MMP has been implemented annually at all sites that meet the MMP protocol criteria and are suitable for the target species in RNUP.	Complete	The MMP was implemented annually. A total of 22 different sites were monitored and 11 separate observations of Least Bittern were recorded. Other species at risk observed through these surveys include Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Eastern Wood-pewee, Bobolink and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Other MMP target species observed include Viriginia Rail, Sora, Pied-billed Grebe and Common Gallinule.
20) American Bumblebee, Monarch, Yellow-banded Bumblebee: Implement a pollinator seed planting program: Develop a volunteer and/or tenant planting program for native milkweed and wildflower species used by pollinators in RNUP and for neighboring landowners to enhance and increase breeding habitat where feasible.	A minimum of 15 volunteers participating annually in planting initiatives, starting in 2022. A minimum of 20 additional sites in RNUP are planted with native milkweed and wildflower species by 2026.	Complete	A pollinator seed planting program was implemented through public outreach and community-based stewardship rather than the volunteer-led planting initially proposed. Nearly 2,700 native seed packets were distributed at community events to encourage pollinator habitat creation across the broader landscape, achieving the same conservation outcomes as originally planned. Pollinator habitat was enhanced through the establishment of four pollinator gardens at Bob Hunter Memorial Park, seeding of numerous decommissioned house and septic sites, and the incorporation of milkweed and wildflower seed mixes into the park’s broader ecological restoration program. In addition, a pollinator garden at the 19th Avenue Day Use Area was created and managed by the RNUP Stewardship Squad.
21) American Bumblebee, Monarch, Yellow-banded Bumblebee: Create prescriptions: Create prescriptions for the management of community planted pollinator habitats to prevent succession.	Complete and initiate a minimum of three prescriptions for community planted pollinator habitats.	Cancelled	While no official prescriptions for pollinator habitats were created, two community planted pollinator gardens at Bob Hunter Memorial Park were managed and renovated by the Markham Butterflyway Rangers.
22) American Bumblebee, Monarch, Yellow-banded Bumblebee: Population monitoring and education programs: Partner with groups such as the Toronto Entomologists’ Society, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) and Wildlife Preservation Canada to continue annual volunteer monitoring and education programs (e.g. tagging of Monarchs, Monarch counts, Mission Monarch, Bumblebee Watch).	To determine presence and distribution of these species within RNUP. Monarch and pollinator conservation messages are incorporated into park programming and education programs by 2026.	Complete	From 2023-2025, RNUP implemented Mission Monarch and Wildlife Preservation Canada’s Bumblebee Watch programs. Thirty-five volunteers submitted over 2350 bumblebee observations, including two special concern bumblebees (American Bumblebee and Yellow-banded Bumblebee) and locally rare species such as the Lemon Cuckoo Bumblebee and Yellow Bumblebee. RNUP also collaborated with UTSC to support the identification of bee specimens collected within RNUP over the previous decade. Pollinator conservation messaging was integrated into education and outreach activities, including Ontario- and Waterways-level media campaigns. Monarch and pollinator awareness was promoted through social media and an annual email to park tenants, volunteers and staff encouraging the submission of bumblebee observations.
23) Meadow SAR: Meadow restoration: a) Increase and/or restore a minimum of six hectares of meadow habitat; b) Meadoway: Collaborate with TRCA and municipalities to implement the creation of a Meadoway corridor connecting downtown Toronto to RNUP; and c) Evaluate opportunities for creating, restoring or enhancing oak savannah habitat in RNUP, where feasible.	A minimum of six hectares of meadow habitat has been created or restored. Conceptual designs and restoration plans for rare and remnant habitats in the Park (e.g. oak savannah, oak woodland) will be developed and implemented by 2023.	In progress	Starting in 2024, volunteer stewardship events at the PIN 478 meadow resulted in the manual removal of encroaching buckthorn across 4.22 ha. In 2025, an additional 0.67 hectares of meadow habitat at Bob Hunter Memorial Park was restored through contracted removal of encroaching woody vegetation. A 2023 TRCA report (Rouge National Urban Park Oak Savannah Biological Inventory) identified restoration recommendations for 6.5 hectares of remnant oak savannah and woodland habitat; however, implementation has not yet occurred.
24) Meadow SAR: Meadow management: Create site-specific Meadow Management Plans, which may include mowing regimes and/or prescribed burn plans to encourage regeneration of native meadow species for the three largest meadows in RNUP.	Site-specific Meadow Management Plans have been created for the three largest meadows in RNUP.	Complete	In collaboration with TRCA, site-specific meadow management plans have been created for Bob Hunter Memorial Park, the 19th Avenue Day Use Area and PIN 478.
25) Meadow SAR: Implement and raise awareness of BMPs for mowing: Work with municipalities, Hydro One, tenant farmers, contractors and other partners to adhere to timing windows that benefit reproductive windows for wildlife and protect milkweed stands where possible.	Information is available and shared with municipalities, Hydro One, tenant farmers, contractors and other partners to encourage stewardship and increase awareness of BMPs for mowing. An informational brochure is created and ready for distribution by 2023.	Complete	Standardized Monarch guidance and BMPs were developed in 2023 for use across Parks Canada sites. These up-to-date BMPs and documents are used as RNUP outreach materials and help to support Impact Assessment processes.
26) Eastern Milksnake, Eastern Ribbonsnake: Habitat augmentation and effectiveness monitoring: Where buildings are scheduled for decommissioning, convert foundations into snake hibernacula to increase habitat and mitigate for habitat lost. A subset of the hibernacula built as a result of foundation decommissioning will be monitored for Eastern Milksnake activity annually for a minimum of three years following installation.	All buildings that have been identified as hibernacula and decommissioned for health and safety or other reasons have replacement hibernacula created on-site. All replacement hibernacula installed have been monitored for activity annually for a minimum of three years following installation.	Complete	A total of 15 hibernacula were created through the decommissioning of building foundations. Only one was at a site where an Eastern Milksnake was previously observed overwintering. This hibernaculum was monitored from 2024-2026 and saw its first use in 2026 by a single Red-bellied Snake.
27) Piping Plover: Support the International Piping Plover Census: Contribute to the census every five years by conducting surveys as per protocol requirements at the Rouge Beach.	To monitor breeding activity in RNUP and contribute data to assess the distribution of the species.	Complete	In collaboration with the Canadian Wildlife Service, monitoring took place in 2022 as part of a Canadian-lead version of the census. The International Piping Plover Census that was scheduled for 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. No evidence of Piping Plover was observed.
28) Aquatic and semi-aquatic SAR, Piping Plover: Develop a Rouge Beach restoration concept and design plan: The restoration concept and design plan will focus on the Rouge Beach area south of the Rouge Marsh and will explore potential restoration and management options such as limiting visitor use in areas of high quality habitat, re-naturalizing social/unofficial trails and enhancing existing habitat through routine shoreline cleanups, improved beach grooming practices and invasive species management.	The Rouge Beach restoration concept and design plan is created by 2026.	Complete	A restoration plan for Rouge Marsh and the southern portion of RNUP was created in 2021. Components of the plan include invasive species management, native planting recommendations, potential Bashful Bulrush reintroduction, conceptual options for carp exclusion barriers and the creation of turtle nesting habitat.
29) Barn Swallow: Habitat augmentation and effectiveness monitoring: Replacement barn swallow habitat will be installed at all building or structural decommissioning projects where active barn swallow nests have been identified. Barn Swallow habitats installed as a mitigation for building decommissioning will be monitored for nesting activity annually, for a minimum of three years following installation.	Any buildings or structures where barn swallow actively nested that have been decommissioned for health and safety reasons have replacement nesting structures installed on-site or as close as feasibly possible. All replacement structures have been monitored for activity annually for a minimum of three years following installation. An evaluation of current proposed mitigations, designs and monitoring methods will be completed. Final recommendations for future habitat replacement projects based on results and observed preferences will be noted.	Complete	In 2025, a deteriorating barn was decommissioned and replaced with a large habitat replacement structure; the first year of monitoring (2026) recorded no Barn Swallow use. In 2020, three large habitat replacement structures were installed at another deteriorating barn site and were monitored from 2020-2024. Nearly all three structures were used annually, supporting 37 documented Barn Swallow nests and 131 successfully fledged young. Findings were documented in a draft report (Understanding Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Nesting Usage at Three Man-made Structures in Rouge National Urban Park), with updates underway to incorporate 2023 and 2024 monitoring data and inform adaptive management of Barn Swallow habitat replacement initiatives.
30) Chimney Swift: Education and outreach: Stewardship collaboration to protect known roosting and nesting locations in the park; extend outreach and stewardship opportunities to residents outside of park boundaries or any newly identified locations within the park; respond as needed to service calls about nesting birds in chimneys.	An informational brochure is created and ready for distribution to tenants, visitors and nearby landowners by 2023 to encourage stewardship and increase awareness of Chimney Swifts in the GTA. Information on Chimney Swift stewardship is incorporated into the annual tenant newsletter by 2022. All service calls related to nesting birds in chimneys are responded to by Resource Conservation staff.	Complete	In collaboration with Birds Canada, a brochure entitled Chimney Swifts- the harmless houseguests in swift decline was created for distribution to tenants, visitors and nearby landowners. Information on Chimney Swift stewardship was incorporated into the spring tenant newsletter. No service calls related to nesting birds in chimneys were received.
31) Aquatic and semi-aquatic SAR: Install and/or improve eco-passages: In partnership with municipalities, transportation agencies, the Toronto Zoo, TRCA and other partners, work to identify opportunities to enhance crossing conditions and improve aquatic and/or terrestrial habitat connectivity by removing in-stream barriers to fish and wildlife migration and/or installing aquatic or terrestrial eco-passages, improving existing culverts and installing road mortality mitigation fencing. Where possible, coordinate implementation with road operations and/or planned maintenance or construction work.	At a minimum of five locations adjacent to concentrated wildlife movement areas, existing crossing conditions are improved (via culvert replacements, eco-passage installations, trail design, removal of instream barriers, or installation of road mortality mitigation fencing).	Complete	Wildlife crossing conditions were improved at five priority locations in RNUP via stream channel diversion, removal of an in-stream dam structure and vehicle crossing, replacement of an undersized, damaged culvert and installation of 230 m of road mortality mitigation fencing. Additionally, a partnership between TRCA, the City of Pickering, Eco-Kare International, the Toronto Zoo and Parks Canada is advancing the installation of two eco-passages under Finch Avenue, south of Amos Pond.
32) Terrestrial and semi-aquatic SAR: Integrated Road Mortality Prevention Program: Conduct annual monitoring to identify hotspots and work together with transportation agencies, where necessary, to draft a roadkill mitigation plan for any new areas identified. Mitigations being considered include: the construction of underpasses, traffic calming structures, flashing signage, speed limit reductions, temporary closures during peak breeding or migration, public communications and in-park education products.	Priority locations or road mortality hotspots in the northern lands of RNUP will be identified through annual monitoring by 2025. A roadkill mitigation plan will be drafted for any hotspot areas identified in the northern lands by 2026. A social media campaign will focus on road mortality in RNUP, hotspot areas, driving strategies to avoid collisions and current mitigations in place in RNUP.	In progress	A report entitled Road Mortality Data Collection and Hotspot Analysis in the Northern Areas of Rouge National Urban Park by Eco-Kare International identifies several road mortality hotspots. To support the analysis, extensive field surveys were conducted in 2021 along 21 km of roads. A mitigation plan for these areas will be developed in future years. In the interim, additional mitigation measures for previously identified hotspot areas in the south of the park, such as large, billboard-style rotating signage, were implemented. A social media campaign aimed at making roads safer for wildlife was launched in 2021 and runs annually, with several posts about being cautious of wildlife on roads, particularly during peak migration periods such as turtle nesting season.
33) Terrestrial SAR: Create and implement a Fire Management Plan for RNUP: Develop a Fire Management Plan which will include specific site prescriptions for burns to improve and protect natural ecosystems within RNUP.	Fire Management Plan created and approved by 2022. A minimum of two prescribed burns are completed at priority sites by 2026.	In progress	A draft Fire Management Plan is currently in development, with review and input to be provided by the First Nations Advisory Circle in 2026. The revised final publication target is 2028. Prescribed burns at priority sites are planned for future years.
34) All species in this plan: Update vegetation community mapping: Update mapping based on Ecological Land Classification (ELC) for Bashful Bulrush and Blanding’s Turtle critical habitat in the Rouge Marsh and surrounding habitats.	Vegetation community mapping based on ELC for Bashful Bulrush and Blanding’s Turtle critical habitat in the Rouge Marsh and surrounding habitat has been updated.	Complete	In 2021, updated ELC vegetation community mapping was completed for the entire Rouge Marsh area south of the 401 and includes the critical habitat for Bashful Bulrush and Blanding’s Turtle.
35) All species in this plan: Implement Farm Management Plans: Support the development of farm-specific Farm Management Plans in partnership with park farmers to encourage and facilitate the incorporation of BMPs into park farming practices. Farm Management Plans may address topics such as harvest timing windows, pesticide BMPs and water and soil management.	Information is available to tenant farmers to encourage stewardship and increase awareness of SAR BMPs that can be incorporated into farming practices. A minimum of five Farm Management Plans are completed and approved by 2026.	In progress	BMPs for SAR birds affected by agricultural activities, such as haying, were summarized and shared with tenants through the annual tenant newsletter. Additional stewardship resources included Monarch conservation guidance, a standard operating procedure for retaining dead and dying trees and limbs and a native tree and shrub selection guide for tenant-led planting initiatives. While no Farm Management Plans were completed, Parks Canada has begun rolling out new leases which require a mandatory Farm Management Plan within three years of signing.
36) All species in this plan: Produce an Invasive Species Management Plan (ISMP): In collaboration with partners (e.g. the Toronto Zoo, TRCA, the province of Ontario, municipalities and transportation agencies), produce and implement an Invasive Species Management Plan that will encompass all habitat types in RNUP. The plan will include management actions for target priority species that alter species at risk habitat such as Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed, Dog-strangling Vine, Garlic Mustard, Common Buckthorn and European Honeysuckles. This plan will include a formalized "Watch List" for proactive prevention of incoming invasive alien species, in particular fishes, plants, insects and potential incoming diseases such as oak wilt and hemlock woolly adelgid.	The ISMP is created and approved by 2024. The ISMP is implemented annually, starting in 2025.	Not started	Although the Invasive Species Management Plan has not been created, steps towards completing this objective were initiated. An Integrated Vegetation Management Plan was created, gathering the necessary information to inform the ISMP by identifying significant areas of invasive species that require management. In addition, three individual Integrated Pest Management Plans have been created to address specific priority invasive species in locations sensitive to species at risk or selected for ecological restoration.
37) Forest and meadow SAR: Management of Dog-strangling Vine: a) Herbicide application, in partnership with municipalities, regions and road authorities to stems of Dog-strangling Vine located in areas with sensitive species at risk or where there is suitable habitat. b) Increasing native species cover to increase site resilience to invasion.	A minimum of one hectare of Dog-strangling Vine is managed annually.	Complete	In total, nearly 30 hectares of Dog-strangling Vine has been managed through herbicide applications and manual removal since 2021. Over five hectares have been planted with native seed, trees and shrubs after management.
38) Aquatic and semi-aquatic SAR: Phragmites management: Strategic removal, in partnership with municipalities, regions and transportation agencies across RNUP, targeting wetlands, restored sites and road right-of-ways.	A minimum of one hectare of Phragmites is managed annually.	Complete	Through a combination of herbicide application and manual removal, nearly eight hectares of Phragmites was managed at priority sites including the Rouge Marsh area, Beare Wetlands and the Glasgow Day Use Area.
39) All species in this plan: Produce a five-year ecological restoration plan for RNUP: Using the Restoration Opportunities Prioritization Framework, identify restoration opportunities that will result in the highest ecological gains for species at risk and other valued ecosystem components. Collaborate with park farmers, Indigenous partners, local conservation groups and TRCA to implement the restoration plan.	The five-year ecological restoration plan is created and approved in 2022. Restoration targets set for each year within the five-year plan are met annually, starting in 2022.	Complete	In collaboration with TRCA, a five-year ecological restoration plan was produced in 2026 and will be implemented in the coming years. While the plan was not formally finalized and approved in 2022 as originally intended, restoration activities were guided by an evolving "living plan" that informed priorities and actions throughout the reporting period. Substantial restoration outcomes were achieved, including the restoration of more than 30 hectares of wetland habitat and the planting of over 150 hectares of native trees and shrubs.
40) Aquatic and semi-aquatic SAR: Restore aquatic habitat in RNUP: Restore a minimum of 40 hectares of aquatic habitat in partnership with TRCA and other agencies through stream and wetland restoration initiatives and a focus on restoring hemi-marsh conditions in the Rouge Marsh. Components of this restoration work will include riparian plantings, invasive species removal or exclusion and habitat enhancements such as bird boxes, fish habitat and turtle nesting beaches.	40 hectares of aquatic habitat including streams, wetlands and open water areas are created or restored. Phragmites has been removed from the Rouge Marsh by 2021. Any new or returning Phragmites cells discovered in the Rouge Marsh are removed on an annual basis starting in 2022. Carp exclusion barrier or measures are conceptualized and considered for implementation at the Rouge Marsh.	Complete	Thirty-seven hectares of aquatic habitat creation and restoration has been completed since 2021, including 20 hectares of wetland habitat creation, 20 m of stream restoration and 17 hectares of targeted invasive species removal from aquatic and riparian habitats. Phragmites has been managed annually in the Rouge Marsh since 2021, except for 2025. Other invasive species including Yellow Flag Iris, Amur Silvergrass, Japanese Knotweed, False Spirea, Lesser Periwinkle, Great Globe Thistle, Black Alder, Norway Maple and Tree of Heaven were also managed in the Rouge Marsh area. Carp exclusion methods were conceptualized in the restoration plan for the Rouge Marsh and southern portion of RNUP created in 2021.
41) SAR turtles, snakes and bats: Early disease detection: Monitor for White Nose Syndrome and report any unusual bat behaviour or deaths immediately to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) or the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre. Monitor for Ranavirus and Herpes Viruses and send live turtles suspected of having Ranavirus or Herpes Virus to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for testing, or send tissue samples or dead specimens to the CWHC for examination. Contain snakes with signs of Snake Fungal Disease and bring to the Toronto Zoo for testing. Results of disease testing will be reported to the CWHC.	Annually, all species at risk showing signs of disease or unnatural behaviour have been reported and, if possible, sent in for testing to the proper organizations.	Complete	In collaboration with the Toronto Zoo, 101 snakes were swabbed and submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for Snake Fungal Disease testing. Of these, 64 samples were taken from Eastern Milksnakes and all 21 positive test results to date were from Eastern Milksnakes. Diagnostic testing of nine Midland Painted Turtles and four Snapping Turtles identified bacterial sepsis, emaciation, and predation as causes of death. Additionally, 17 birds were identified as suspected cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, with seven confirmed positive; none were species at risk. No suspected cases of White Nose Syndrome, Ranavirus or Herpes Virus were reported.
42) All species in this plan: Integration of Indigenous traditional and modern knowledge: Continue to engage with the park’s 10 First Nation partner communities to collaboratively develop and implement methods to meaningfully incorporate Indigenous traditional and modern knowledge into management practices for species at risk in RNUP.	Parks Canada and the RNUP FNAC continue to engage on species at risk projects and management practices at annual meetings held twice per year, at a minimum. Partnerships will be fostered wherever possible to collaborate on species at risk projects of specific interest to individual communities.	Complete	While the formal FNAC meeting schedule varied from year to year, engagement was maintained consistently through meetings, email updates and direct collaboration with all 10 FNAC partners. Additional partnerships related to species at risk projects were undertaken with Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River and the Wendat Nation.
43) All species in this plan: Enforcement of the Species at Risk Act: Include select species at risk in upcoming park warden compliance plans and increase patrols to prevent poaching and disturbance of species at risk and their habitat.	Species at risk have been incorporated into park warden compliance plans annually. Patrols are conducted annually during critical time periods to prevent disturbance to species at risk and their habitats.	Complete	Species at risk have been incorporated annually into park warden compliance plans by prioritizing incidences involving species at risk. All areas of the park are patrolled daily and during sensitive periods, such as turtle nesting season, patrol efforts were strategically focused on areas with high concentrations of species at risk to reduce threats and disturbance. Since 2021, 15 occurrences involving SARA species or their habitat have been recorded, primarily related to trespassing in sensitive habitats and suspicious activity at turtle nesting locations.
44) All species in this plan: Install signage and interpretive panels: Promote awareness of actions that can help protect species at risk and their habitat by installing informational signage throughout the park.	A minimum of 15 interpretive, educational and informational signs, displays and non-personal media related to species at risk will be installed throughout the park.	Complete	Much of the species at risk signage is seasonally installed during key migration or nesting periods to capture the public’s attention and minimize sign fatigue. RNUP developed eight Sensitive Wildlife Area signs and placed 20 interpretive turtle nesting signs throughout the park adjacent to aquatic habitats. Large billboard-style signs, created in partnership with the City of Pickering, Eco-Kare International, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, TRCA and the Toronto Zoo, were posted adjacent to Scarborough-Pickering Townline and Finch Avenue, a wildlife mortality hotspot. Additional signage with QR codes features information about species at risk and ecological restoration.
45) All species in this plan: Promote RNUP iNaturalist project: Promote the RNUP project on iNaturalist to capture incidental observations of species at risk from staff, tenants and the public; advertise and promote the project through Visitor Experience and External Relations messaging, signage, etc.	The number of iNaturalist users contributing to the "Rouge National Urban Park Project" has increased since 2021. Information and support are available to the public to advertise and encourage citizen science opportunities.	Complete	The number of identifiers in the RNUP iNaturalist project grew from 1,131 to 4,829 and the number of observers increased from 400 to 1,874, indicating steadily growing community engagement. The total number of species increased from 1,812 to 4,004, while observations rose nearly tenfold from 6,898 to 64,508. A page dedicated to the iNaturalist App was added to the RNUP website and routine social media posts encourage the public to submit plant and wildlife observations to the RNUP iNaturalist project.
46) All species in this plan: Promote citizen science opportunities: Support and advertise citizen science opportunities such as Bumble Bee Watch, Mission Monarch, Monarch Watch, Swift Watch, FrogWatch, etc., through visitor experience programming.	A minimum of three citizen science opportunities will be promoted to tenants and the public by 2026 through social media channels, ERVE events and/or guided walks.	Complete	In addition to a dedicated iNaturalist App page on the RNUP website, several other citizen science opportunities were promoted to tenants and the public via direct email, in-person communications or social media posts. These included: Wildlife Preservation Canada’s Bumblebee Watch program, targeted emails and social media posts encouraging park tenants, staff and visitors to report Western Chorus Frog and turtle nesting observations as well as park signage promoting the turtle nesting cell phone number for visitors to report nesting turtles on trails.
47) All species in this plan: Manage species at risk sightings: Record incidental observations of species at risk, including road mortality incidents and report to the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) annually.	All species at risk records are submitted to NHIC annually.	Complete	RNUP records of species tracked by NHIC were submitted to NHIC annually.
48) All species in this plan: External Relations and Visitor Experience (ERVE) communications: Feature species at risk in ERVE printed and virtual communications (i.e., Book of Rouge, updated Rouge app, Facebook Live events, Spotlight articles, fact sheets, Rouge Xplorers Booklet) and promote awareness through daily interaction with visitors at Visitor Experience popup booths. Continue to engage media in highlighting species at risk projects (e.g. Blanding’s Turtle features, Canadian Geographic articles).	Species at risk are featured in a minimum of three printed and/or virtual communications annually. By 2026, a minimum of two media engagements highlighting species at risk projects in RNUP are completed.	Complete	RNUP regularly featured species at risk in online communications, highlighting species including Monarchs, turtles, bats and the importance of protecting species at risk habitats. New web content was developed on bat conservation and turtle stewardship, and the park’s bird webpage was updated to identify bird species at risk and their conservation status. Species at risk conservation was also featured in the park’s #MilestoneMonday 10th anniversary series, showcasing restoration project successes such as the 2020 Petticoat Creek Headwaters restoration project and its benefits for habitat and biodiversity. Since 2021, RNUP has completed multiple media stories on species at risk grassland bird monitoring, turtle conservation and Redside Dace monitoring in the Rouge watershed.
49) All species in this plan: ERVE Events: Promote awareness and protection of species at risk through events and programming such as Creature Feature, Taste of the Trail and Rouge After Dark.	A minimum of two ERVE events annually have a component that promotes awareness and stewardship of species at risk.	Complete	Annual Blanding’s Turtle release events, delivered in partnership with the Toronto Zoo, promoted species at risk recovery through public engagement, media coverage, social media and web content. The annual 10,000 Trees for the Rouge tree planting event engaged volunteers in habitat restoration while raising awareness of biodiversity, ecological integrity, invasive species management and the benefits of native habitat restoration for species at risk.
50) All species in this plan: Rehabilitate injured wildlife: Work in partnership with Toronto Wildlife Centre and wildlife custodians across Ontario to rehabilitate species at risk and other injured or orphaned wildlife.	All injured or orphaned wildlife found in RNUP is brought in to local wildlife custodians for rehabilitation, where feasible.	Complete	Ninety-six individuals were either treated in house by RNUP’s Wildlife Emergency Response Team or brought to another wildlife rehabilitation centre for treatment. This included four Snapping Turtles, 12 Midland Painted Turtles and one Eastern Milksnake.

Additional measures were identified in the action plan that would be beneficial to complete should resources become available. Table 2 reports on additional measures identified in the Multi-species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park that were initiated between 2021 and 2026.

Table 2. Progress towards completing additional conservation and recovery measures initiated because partnerships and/or resources became available
Species and measure description	Recovery measure objective	Status	Description of Progress
52) Butternut: Remove hybrids: Remove hybrid Butternut trees and non-native walnut species (e.g. Japanese Walnut) identified as part of the Butternut inventory.	All identified hybrid Butternut trees are removed.	In progress	Approximately 70% of hybrid and non-retainable Butternut trees identified in the 2021 inventory were removed.
53) Butternut: Population support: Collaborate with the Butternut Working Group to archive putatively resistant individuals and collect scions from healthy Butternuts that show resistance to Butternut canker for future germination and plantings.	Up to a maximum of five putatively resistant individuals identified by the Forest Gene Conservation Association are archived.	Complete	One putatively resistant Butternut from RNUP was added to the Forest Gene Conservation’s archiving program.
59) Black Ash: Conduct inventory: Conduct an inventory to determine population size and distribution of Black Ash in RNUP and work with partners to proactively manage Ash impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer by injecting systemic insecticides into living trees.	To determine population size, health and distribution in RNUP. To maintain Black Ash on the landscape and ensure survival and genetic preservation for future generations.	In progress	Initial inventory work has been initiated through research collaborations with the University of Toronto as part of a broader Black Ash and Vegetation Monitoring and Research Study and targeted Black Ash surveys conducted by park staff to identify and map healthy stands throughout the park for future seed collection.
64) SAR fishes: Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol surveys: Partner with TRCA, Ontario Streams, UTSC and others to continue electrofishing surveys at select locations throughout RNUP.	To determine stream health and fish communities present in RNUP streams.	Complete	This objective was met through stream health and fish community assessments completed at five priority streams in 2021. Ontario Streams conducted OSAP surveys to evaluate stream conditions and carried out electrofishing surveys to document fish communities, providing baseline data on aquatic habitat health and the fish species present within the park. Redside Dace were identified at one of the survey sites.
66) Monarch: Egg rescue and release: In the rare circumstances where the removal of milkweed for operational purposes and potential destruction of monarch eggs is unavoidable, collect monarch eggs for relocation or captive rearing. Consider partnering with local organizations to undertake captive rearing activities.	Monarch eggs that would otherwise be destroyed have been collected, successfully hatched and released back into the wild.	Complete	In total, 25 Monarch eggs and three caterpillars were salvaged or relocated during pre-construction monitoring surveys.
68) Meadow SAR birds: Population monitoring: Develop a landscape-scale strategy for monitoring annual meadow bird activity (e.g. through the Meadow Bird Monitoring Project and explore the use of drones with thermal imagery to detect grassland nesting species at risk) in RNUP.	To determine presence, distribution and relative abundance of the species.	Complete	A Meadow Bird Monitoring Project, guided by a landscape connectivity model, has been developed. Breeding meadow bird data, including presence and relative abundance, has been obtained for priority meadow sites annually since 2023. Barn Swallows, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark and Wood Thrush were observed. A trial run using a thermal drone to detect grassland bird nests showed high potential for future implementation.
70) All SAR birds: Support the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas: Identify staff and/or volunteers to implement the survey protocol in RNUP.	To determine presence and distribution of species at risk birds in the park and to contribute data related to range-wide distribution and trends.	Complete	Select point count stations in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Squares 17TPJ36 (Region 45) and 17TPJ46 (Region 46) were implemented and data was submitted to the OBBA. Bobolink, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-pewee and Barn Swallows were observed.
75) SAR reptiles, amphibians and birds: Promote responsible pet ownership: Incorporate information on the impacts of feral animals, off-leash dogs and aquarium releases into educational programming and social media posts. Conduct outreach to local tenants and surrounding residences to encourage pet owners to keep their animals indoors and under supervision.	Information is available to visitors to encourage stewardship and increase awareness.	Complete	RNUP regularly promotes responsible pet ownership through social media and website communications, including reminders to keep pets on leash and discourage the release of domestic animals in the park. Park staff also participate in community outreach events, such as Petapolooza, to encourage stewardship of the park and natural areas through responsible pet ownership.
77) All species in this plan: Distribution mapping and modelling: Work with GIS specialist to update distribution maps for all species at risk in RNUP and work with partners to model habitat suitability and connectivity for a minimum of three select species at risk.	Distribution maps are created for all species at risk. Habitat suitability and has been modelled for a minimum of three species at risk. An updated habitat connectivity assessment has been completed.	In progress	GIS coordinates for all species at risk records are updated annually into the park’s geodatabase to inform distribution mapping for park management. Habitat suitability has been modelled for Butternut and Myotis species, and a park-wide habitat connectivity assessment completed in 2025 included connectivity models for Blanding’s Turtles and Eastern Milksnakes.

Action Plan Highlight: Successful Habitat Replacement for Species at Risk

Two individuals wearing orange high-visibility sweaters conduct bat monitoring activities beside a brick building. One person holds a long inspection pole extending toward a black bat box mounted high on the building’s exterior wall while both individuals look up into the bat box.

Many species at risk in Rouge National Urban Park rely on human-made structures such as barns, houses, chimneys, attics and building foundations for nesting, roosting, or overwintering habitat. With more than 1,600 built assets managed throughout the park, Parks Canada has implemented a habitat replacement program to balance infrastructure management with species conservation, ensuring that when structures require repair or decommissioning, habitat for species at risk is maintained whenever possible.

This program has resulted in the installation of a variety of replacement habitats, including a large bat condo, bat boxes and rocket boxes; large nesting structures for Barn Swallows; and hibernacula constructed from former building foundations to provide overwintering habitat for Eastern Milksnakes and other snake species.

Three young Barn Swallows are visible inside a cup-shaped nest made of mud, dried grass, and other plant material. The nest is attached beneath a building overhang made of plywood. The nestlings peer out from the top of the nest, with their dark eyes and beaks visible.

Results from these efforts have provided valuable insights and demonstrated notable conservation successes. One bat colony successfully established in replacement bat boxes following an emergency roof repair project, with all three boxes occupied by the third year of monitoring, including one box used by 43 bats. Barn Swallow habitat structures have been particularly successful, supporting 37 documented nests and 131 successfully fledged young between 2020 and 2024. Snake hibernacula continue to be monitored, with the first documented use observed in 2026 by a Red-bellied Snake.

A small Eastern Gartersnake with distinct yellow stripes running along its dark body is gently held in a pair of gloved hands. The snake is loosely coiled, showing the pattern along its back and sides. In the background, part of a high-visibility orange and yellow safety vest can be seen, along with grassy vegetation and a wooden plywood board on the ground.

This work demonstrates that carefully designed replacement structures can provide effective habitat for species at risk while allowing necessary infrastructure management to proceed. Through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, Rouge National Urban Park has gained a better understanding of the effectiveness of habitat compensation measures, including a detailed review of Barn Swallow replacement structures that informed recommendations for future designs and mitigation approaches. The park also participated in the Canadian Bat Box Project, a collaborative monitoring study, led by Trent University from 2021 to 2023, which involved monitoring up to 38 bat boxes annually to improve understanding of how bats use artificial roost structures in Canada.

Two large, weathered wooden nesting structures are raised several feet above the ground on sturdy posts in a grassy field. Both have sloped shingled roofs and enclosed walls designed to provide nesting habitat for Barn Swallows. Open farmland extends into the distance behind the structures, with a line of trees visible along the horizon under a clear sky.

Together, these initiatives are helping to refine habitat replacement techniques, improve artificial structure designs and advance best management practices for species at risk conservation. By contributing valuable knowledge on species responses to replacement habitats, Rouge National Urban Park is supporting adaptive management and informing conservation efforts both within the park and across Ontario and Canada.

Ecological Impacts

Ecological impacts of the action plan are assessed by measuring progress towards meeting the site-based population and distribution objectives (shows progress, does not show progress, insufficient information, achieved^{Footnote 8}) described in the action plan (Table 3). Progress towards meeting objectives is categorized based on methods used to report on species at risk population trends for the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program. CESI species at risk population trend indicators show whether the population and distribution trends of species at risk are consistent with the objectives set out in recovery strategies or management plans.

Results should be interpreted with caution because it can take many years to show progress towards meeting population and distribution objectives, for example, due to the time needed for species to respond to recovery measures and for the collection and assessment of population and distribution information. A five-year reporting window may not be sufficient to show demonstrable progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives identified for that species within a Parks Canada site-based action plan. See the original action plan for national Population and Distribution Objectives (where available) and General Information and Site-based Recovery Approach for each species. Parks Canada monitors, evaluates and, as necessary, adapts measures taken to achieve species survival or recovery and will report regularly on progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives.

Table 3. Progress towards achieving site-based population and distribution objectives identified in the Multi-species Action Plan for Rouge National Urban Park of Canada
Species	Site-based population & distribution objective	Monitoring method	Status	Description of Progress
Blanding’s Turtle – Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Population	To increase the abundance of juvenile Blanding’s Turtles in the southern half of RNUP and increase the area of occupancy beyond the current distribution. Maintain adult nesting activity at a minimum of one location every two years. Note: After publication of the action plan, this objective was changed to: Maintain evidence of adult nesting activity at least once every five years. To increase hatching success of naturally occurring nests over a five-year period via nest protection and egg collection and incubation programs.	Survey annually in partnership with the Toronto Zoo, TRCA and university partners and record incidental observations to contribute data to population estimates and movement patterns. Methods will include: mark-recapture, radio-telemetry, trapping, nesting and road-mortality surveys.	Achieved	The abundance of juvenile Blanding’s Turtles in the southern half of RNUP has increased, as over 330 two-year old head-started turtles have been released since 2021 and a total of 600 have been released since the program’s inception. Annual monitoring conducted by the Toronto Zoo has confirmed relatively high survival rates for head-started juveniles in the wild. Excluding years with significant mortality events, nearly 89% of tracked headstarts survived more than two years in the wild as observed by Wijewardena, T., et al. in Evaluation of headstarting as a conservation tool to recover Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in a highly fragmented urban landscape, 2023. The area of occupancy has also increased, as turtles were released into nine new sites extending to the northern range of the park. Evidence of Blanding’s Turtle nesting activity was confirmed through direct observations of gravid and nesting females and a wild-hatched hatchling. Increasing success of naturally occurring nests was accomplished. In 2022, a Blanding’s Turtle nest was collected from the park, incubated and sent to the Toronto Zoo as part of the headstart program. In addition, a head-started female initially released in 2015 was confirmed gravid in 2026, indicating another successful breeding occurrence in the wild.
Butternut	To maintain the current population of healthy purestock Butternut trees in RNUP.	Survey new and known locations for saplings and mature trees every five years to determine abundance and monitor tree health through Butternut Health Assessments.	Insufficient information	Surveys focused on establishing the baseline population of healthy Butternut trees in the park. Resource limitations did not allow for re-surveying the population to detect change over the five-year period. Inventories completed in 2021, 2025 and 2026 covered over 95% of suitable habitat in the park and identified 605 Butternut trees, including 136 confirmed pure Butternut, of which 86 are considered healthy. Results of hybridity testing and health assessments of 181 unknown individuals are expected in Fall 2026.
Eastern Milksnake	Maintain the area of occupancy at all three study sites in RNUP and at any new sites identified in the park through future surveys.	Survey annually in partnership with the Toronto Zoo, TRCA and university partners and record incidental observations. Methods will include: mark-recapture, the use of artificial cover objects, road-mortality and hibernacula emergence surveys.	Achieved	Annual monitoring conducted in partnership with the Toronto Zoo included mark-recapture surveys, artificial cover objects, road mortality surveys, hibernacula emergence surveys and incidental observations. These efforts consistently confirmed the presence of Eastern Milksnakes at all three study sites in Rouge National Urban Park from 2021 through 2024. Through expanded coverboard survey efforts, Eastern Milksnake presence was confirmed annually at a fourth site in the park and one single Eastern Milksnake observation at another site was recorded in 2023.
Eastern Pondmussel	Maintain the area of occupancy and abundance in the Rouge River.	The current population will be surveyed every five years to determine presence, abundance and area of occupancy	Insufficient information	This objective is no longer considered relevant, as surveys conducted in 2023 and 2025 found no evidence of an extant Eastern Pondmussel population in the Rouge River. While historical records confirmed the species was present at low abundance between 2012 and 2015, targeted surveys and eDNA sampling detected no individuals. Additional surveys may be undertaken to further confirm the species’ status in the Rouge Marsh area.
Midland Painted Turtle	Maintain the area of occupancy of nesting individuals at the four known sites in RNUP. To increase hatching success of naturally occurring nests over a five-year period via nest protection and egg collection and incubation programs.	Survey annually in partnership with the Toronto Zoo, TRCA and university partners and record incidental observations. Methods will include: mark-recapture, trapping, nesting and road-mortality surveys.	Achieved	Nesting evidence was consistently observed at four known sites. Two additional nesting locations were identified through targeted survey efforts. In total, 101 Midland Painted Turtle nests were collected from high-risk areas for incubation and release and an additional eight nests were protected in lower risk areas using nest protectors.
Northern Map Turtle	Maintain occupancy in the park.	Survey annually in partnership with the Toronto Zoo, TRCA and university partners and record incidental observations. Methods will include: mark-recapture, trapping, nesting and road-mortality surveys.	Achieved	A Map Turtle observed basking on a log in the Rouge River in 2023 confirmed the species’ continued occupancy within the park.
Redside Dace	Maintain species’ presence in the park.	The number of individuals observed/captured through targeted surveys and incidental observations will be counted. Targeted surveys will be conducted at least once every three years.	Achieved	Targeted surveys conducted by Ontario Streams confirmed the continued presence of Redside Dace in a single creek in the park in both 2021 and 2026. Unforeseen circumstances prevented the scheduled monitoring in 2023 from taking place.
Snapping Turtle	Maintain the area of occupancy of nesting individuals at the four known sites in RNUP. To increase hatching success of naturally occurring nests over a five-year period via nest protection and egg collection and incubation programs.	Survey annually in partnership with the Toronto Zoo, TRCA and university partners and record incidental observations. Methods will include: mark-recapture, trapping, nesting and road-mortality surveys.	Achieved	Nesting evidence was consistently observed at four known sites. Eight additional nesting locations were identified through targeted survey efforts. In total, 50 Snapping Turtle nests were collected from high-risk areas for incubation and release and an additional three nests were protected in lower risk areas using nest protectors.

Socio-economic Impacts

The Species at Risk Act requires the responsible federal minister to report on the socio-economic costs of the multi-species action plan (MSAP) and the benefits derived from its implementation. The MSAP only applies to protected lands and waters under the authority of the Parks Canada Agency, which are often subject to fewer threats (e.g. industrial activities) compared to other areas as the lands are managed to preserve ecological and commemorative integrity. This section does not include socio-economic impacts of existing permitted activities that may be occurring in Parks Canada places as those have been addressed through other processes (e.g. impact assessments). This socio-economic assessment is narrow in scope, as it is focused on the measures implemented within the action plan and primarily focuses on Indigenous partners, leaseholders, licensees, residents and visitors. The overall socio-economic impacts of the MSAP for Rouge National Urban Park, described as costs and benefits, are outlined below.

Costs

Most costs to implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada out of existing salaries and goods and services dollars. This includes incremental salary costs, materials, equipment and contracting of professional services for measures outlined in Appendix B of the multi-species action plan. Additional funds were provided by Natural Resources Canada through the 2 Billion Trees Program, aimed at planting 2 billion trees across Canada over a ten-year period. No major socio-economic costs to partners, stakeholders or Indigenous groups resulted from this action plan.

Recovery measures were integrated into the operational management of Rouge National Urban Park and there were no new costs. The costs to the government were covered by prioritization of existing funds and salary dollars at the site and did not result in additional costs to society. The action plan applies only to lands and waters in Rouge National Urban Park and did not bring any restrictions to land use outside the sites. As such, this action plan placed no additional socio-economic costs on the public.

The anticipated socio-economic costs to park farmers from the implementation of Farm Management Plans and incorporation of Best Management Practices into agricultural practices were not realized as this measure is still in progress and to date, no Farm Management Plans have been completed. Park tenants and farmers experienced increased engagement and site access by Parks Canada staff and contractors to facilitate ecological restoration projects. In rare cases, minor crop losses associated with restoration work occurred and were compensated accordingly.

Minor restrictions on visitor activities were implemented to protect species at risk and support ecological restoration activities. Seasonal access restrictions to sensitive habitats were enforced through Superintendent’s Orders, limiting access to areas where species at risk are particularly vulnerable to disturbance. In addition, temporary trail closures were implemented as needed to facilitate restoration projects, including wetland restoration, tree planting and invasive species management.

Benefits

Economic benefits of the recovery of the species at risk in RNUP cannot be easily quantified, as many of the values derived from wildlife are non-market commodities that are difficult to appraise in financial terms. Wildlife, in all its forms, has value in and of itself and is valued by Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, economic, medical, ecological and scientific reasons. The conservation of wildlife at risk is an important component of the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserving biological diversity and is important to Canada’s current and future economic and natural wealth.

Measures implemented under the action plan contributed to meeting recovery strategy objectives for Threatened and Endangered species and contributed to meeting management objectives for species of Special Concern. These measures had an overall positive impact on ecological integrity and enhanced opportunities for appreciation of the sites and the species by visitors and the public. This action plan included measures that likely resulted in benefits to Canadians, such as positive impacts on biodiversity and the value individuals place on preserving biodiversity.

The action plan used a balanced approach to reducing threats to species at risk through targeted recovery actions, research and monitoring, species re-establishment, habitat restoration and public stewardship. Ongoing research and monitoring improved understanding of several priority species and informed management decisions. This included annual monitoring of bats, turtles, birds, snakes and other species at risk through partnerships with organizations such as the Toronto Zoo, Birds Canada, Ontario Streams and University of Toronto.

Monitoring confirmed the persistence of species such as the Chimney Swift, Eastern Milksnake, Redside Dace, and numerous bats, and identified important roosts and residences and contributed to recovery planning and habitat management. An additional partnership with the Forest Gene Conservation Association supported the archiving of one putatively resistant Butternut tree.

The action plan also supported species recovery and re-establishment efforts. Since 2021, more than 330 head-started Blanding’s Turtles have been released into the park, while over 140 Midland Painted and Snapping Turtle nests from high-risk areas were collected for incubation, resulting in the release of more than 1,500 hatchlings. Habitat improvements, including wildlife crossing enhancements, meadow and wetland restoration, invasive species management and extensive reforestation, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and 10,000 Trees for the Rouge, further reduced threats and improved habitat quality and connectivity for species at risk.

Public awareness and stewardship were advanced through interpretive signage, social media campaigns related to making roads safe for wildlife and responsible pet ownership, promotion of citizen science opportunities such as iNaturalist, the establishment of the Turtle Nest Monitoring and Bumble Bee Watch volunteer programs and community events. Community participation in citizen science and volunteer programs grew substantially throughout the reporting period, supporting both conservation outcomes and stewardship within Rouge National Urban Park.

Many restoration projects were implemented in collaboration with tenants. Park tenants and farmers supported species at risk surveys and monitoring programs by welcoming access to leased lands and participating in stewardship initiatives. Native planting, wetland restoration, invasive species management and habitat enhancement projects were often designed in partnership with tenants and farmers to provide mutual benefits such as improved farm drainage and field crossing conditions.

The action plan supported ongoing collaboration with partnering First Nations. Engagement occurred through meetings, project updates and direct participation in species at risk conservation initiatives. Partnerships were undertaken with several First Nations communities on projects related to invasive species management, turtle conservation, Butternut stewardship, wildlife monitoring and archaeological investigations of future ecological restoration sites. These collaborations supported the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge, values and stewardship approaches into species at risk recovery and ecological restoration activities.

Footnotes

Footnote 1

The SARA-listing classifications for the species in this report may differ from the Multi-species Action Plan due to changes made to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act since the action plan was published.

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Footnote 2

Including non SARA-listed species of conservation concern (COSEWIC assessed, provincially listed species) and culturally significant species in addition to SARA-listed species provides Parks Canada with a comprehensive plan for species conservation and recovery at the site.

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Footnote 3

Progress is classified according to the following categories (dial colors in parentheses): Complete (green), in progress (yellow), not started (orange), cancelled (blue). See Implementation of the Action Plan for the full definitions.

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Footnote 4

Status is classified by the following categories (dial colors): Achieved (green), shows progress (yellow), mixed evidence (orange), does not show progress (red), insufficient information (blue). See Ecological Impacts for the full definitions.

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Footnote 5

The status of these species may have changed over the reporting period.

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Footnote 6

Complete: implemented and concluded; In progress: implementation underway and not concluded; Not started: implementation not started yet but still planned; Cancelled: no longer relevant, useful or feasible.

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Footnote 7

For the specific species included in species groupings (e.g. forest SAR birds, SAR turtles) refer back to the multi-species action plan.

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Footnote 8

Shows progress: Population and distribution trends consistent with objectives. This includes species that are stable and where the objective is to achieve stability; does not show progress: population and distribution trends not consistent with objectives, including species that are stable below their objectives and species that are in decline; mixed evidence: some information suggests improving population and distribution trends, but there is also some evidence of decline; insufficient information: available data are insufficient to determine population and distribution trends; achieved: site-based population and distribution objective has been achieved.

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Date modified :: 2026-09-27

Progress Towards the Implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for: Rouge National Urban Park of Canada

On this page

Preface

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

Species AddressedFootnote 1

Implementation of the Action Plan

Ecological Impacts

Socio-economic Impacts

Context

Implementation of the Action Plan

Action Plan Highlight: Successful Habitat Replacement for Species at Risk

Ecological Impacts

Socio-economic Impacts

Costs

Benefits

Species Addressed^{Footnote 1}