Species Detection Survey Permits

Wild species and their habitats are protected in Saskatchewan under a combination of provincial and federal legislation including:

Provincial Acts:

• The Wildlife Act, 1998 and its Regulations
• The Wildlife Habitat Protection Act, 1983
• The Fisheries (Saskatchewan) Act, 2020
• The Water Security Agency Act, 2005
• The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010
• The Environmental Assessment Act, 1979

Federal Acts:

• Species at Risk Act, 2002
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• Fisheries Act, 1985
• Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

Under Saskatchewan’s The Wildlife Act, 1998, a permit is required to conduct academic research or to survey wild species for purposes such as development pre-screening, baseline data collection or habitat assessments. A permit is not required for personal, recreational, educational or other non-commercial surveys.

Research permits, including those for species detection surveys, are administered through the Conservation Standards Program by the Ministry of Environment’s Fish and Wildlife Branch. The Conservation Standards Program provides guidance on conducting reliable, replicable surveys and ensures data quality through active review and quality assurance processes.

Wild species detection surveys are typically conducted by environmental consultants on behalf of industry proponents but may also be required for any project with the potential to impact species of conservation concern or alter their habitats.

The results of these surveys help guide project siting and mitigation planning to avoid or minimize impacts to rare and sensitive species. In doing so, proponents can reduce risks and liabilities associated with impacts to species of conservation concern.

Beyond immediate project planning, survey data also support the establishment of an ecological baseline, which is essential for tracking biodiversity change and designing effective reclamation strategies.

Species detection surveys are authorized through a Species Detection Research Permit issued by the Ministry of Environment. The steps below outline how to plan surveys and apply for a permit.

Step 1: Pre-survey planning

Desktop screening

Desktop screening assesses the potential for suitable habitat in the project area. This helps identify possible species presence and guides survey selection. Recommended tools and resources include:

HABISask:

HABISask is an online mapping tool that provides access to biodiversity information, including species occurrence records from the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC). To create a HABISask account, visit the SKCDC website.

The Rare and Endangered Species map layer is available in HABISask without logging in, but information is limited to broad species groups (e.g., animal, vascular plant). Detailed information, including species and observation data, is only available to signed-in users.

HABISask is not a definitive source on species presence, absence or status and should not replace onsite surveys. The absence of species observation records does not confirm that a species is not present in an area. Observations may not have been recorded for the given area or may not yet be entered into the ministry data holdings, as new records are continuously added.

Users planning to use HABISask for project screening must sign in to access full information and to run the HABISask Project Screening Report (available under the “HABITools” tab). The HABITools tab is only visible after signing in. The report includes data on known species occurrences, available species distribution models, and features such as federal critical habitat for species at risk, areas under federal emergency protection order, Woodland Caribou Habitat Management Areas, and other administrative boundaries.

For assistance, use the HABISask ‘Contact Us’ feature.

Additional resources:

• Satellite imagery: Identify habitat suitability within the project footprint and surrounding buffer area.
• Regional information: Field guides and land use plans provide useful context.
• W.P. Fraser Herbarium: Access information on plant species.

Preliminary reconnaissance

A site visit helps personnel become familiar with the project area and inform the species detection survey permit application. If no suitable habitat is present for any species or guild, species detection surveys are not required. Suitable habitat includes all habitat types described in the “Ecology and Life History” section of NatureServe Explorer for a given species, unless otherwise indicated.

A permit is not required for this initial visit.

If incidental wild species observations are recorded during this visit, HABISask account holders must submit them to the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre. See the data submission section below for further information.

Step 2: Apply for a species detection survey permit

Species Detection Application Form (SDAF)

The SDAF can be accessed using the link below, which opens a blank form, or through the link provided in the HABISask Project Screening Report. Accessing the form through HABISask is recommended because it automatically populates portions of the application using information from the Project Screening Report.

Detailed instructions for completing the application form are provided in the Species Detection Application Form Guide.

Permit holders must comply with the species detection permit terms and conditions.

Go to the Species Detection Application Form (SDAF)

Watch the instructional video

Personnel requirements

Before submitting an application, ensure personnel documentation is on file with the species detection mailbox (sd.researchpermit@gov.sk.ca).

Companies conducting species detection surveys must maintain current personnel documentation to demonstrate that surveyors are qualified to detect and identify target species.

Personnel documentation includes:

• Bio-sketch(es) Template
• Staff Matrix

These forms are submitted once at the start of the survey season, rather than with every permit application. An updated Staff Matrix is required at the end of the season. Refer to the Personnel Requirements Instructions for details.

Application windows

Species detection permit applications are accepted seasonally:

• Breeding and migration season surveys (March through October): Applications are accepted in the spring and summer.
• Winter surveys: Applications are accepted from November 1 to March 15.

Subscribe to the species detection mail-out list to receive updates and notification when the annual survey season opens.

Submit applications early enough for a permit to be issued before surveys begin. Permits are not issued retroactively. Allow a minimum of seven business days for processing before planned survey dates.

Permit amendments

If amendments are required after an application has been submitted or a permit has been issued, submit an amendment request through the online Species Detection Application Form.

Step 3: Conduct surveys

Use Ministry of Environment Species Detection Survey Protocols (SDSPs)

Species detection surveys are necessary when desktop screening or reconnaissance visits identify species of conservation concern or suitable habitat.

SDSPs are designed to detect sensitive species and their habitats so that appropriate mitigation, such as the Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species, can be applied. Protocols are periodically updated to reflect emerging science and improve clarity.

The Ministry of Environment does not pre-approve deviations to SDSPs (see Alternate SDSPs, below). Deviations are reviewed when survey data are submitted using the species detection data loadform to determine whether survey results are acceptable. Surveys with significant deviations may need to be repeated, which can delay regulatory approvals.

Download the Species Detection Survey Protocols

Alternate SDSPs

If no ministry SDSP exists for a required survey, or if you wish to propose an alternate protocol, you may prepare an alternate SDSP using the provided template. Ministry biologists may review your proposed SDSP and provide recommended improvements.

Approval is mandatory for aerial and intrusive surveys, including surveys using Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Intrusive methods involve any activity that disturbs wild species, such as collecting seeds or physical samples, capturing animals or disrupting natural behaviours. Each time you submit an alternate SDSP template for aerial surveys, RPAS, or any survey that involves disturbance, it must be approved, even if previously approved.

View the Alternate SDSP Template 

Submission guidelines:

• Submit alternate SDSPs at the start of the field season or before submitting the species detection permit application that references them.
• Ensure alternate SDSPs are detailed, rigorous and comparable to ministry SDSPs. Use specific dates and times (e.g. “April 15, 30 minutes before sunrise”) rather than vague terms like “summer” or “daylight hours” to avoid resubmission.
• Reference the alternate SDSP in your species detection permit application forms.

Once on file, alternate SDSPs only need to be resubmitted when:

• Changes are made,
• The Primary Technical Contact responsible for oversight of the SDSP changes, or
• The ministry requests an update.

Step 4: Apply the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species (ARGs)

The ARGs are a mitigation tool used to reduce impacts to species of conservation concern and support compliance with The Wildlife Act, 1998. Apply ARG setbacks and timing restrictions where applicable to reduce environmental risk and support conservation outcomes for wild species. For more information, download the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species.

Appropriate consent is required to access lands and waters, as per The Trespass to Property Amendment Act, 2019. A species detection permit does not exempt the permittee from obtaining additional permissions.

Ministry of Agriculture

To conduct species detection surveys on Ministry of Agriculture (AG) Crown land, the AG Land Management Specialist must be cc’d through the appropriate regional mailbox when submitting the species detection application form.

• North Region: landsbranchnorthag@gov.sk.ca
• South Region: landsbranchsouthag@gov.sk.ca

For inquiries, contact the Ministry of Agriculture Lands Branch at moalandsbranch@gov.sk.ca or call 306-787-5322.

Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport

Lands managed by the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport (PCS) include provincial parks (such as Natural Environment Parks, Wilderness Parks, Historic Parks, and Recreation Parks), Historic Sites, Provincial Recreation Sites, and Protected Areas. The species detection application is harmonized with the PCS Research Permit program. When completing your species detection application form, indicate that your proposed survey will take place on lands administered by PCS.

Additional permits may be required by PCS, including but not limited to a Park Entry Permit, Work Authorization and Miscellaneous Use Lease. Contact the PCS Permit Administrator and relevant Park Manager(s) to confirm dates of entry onto Parks land.

Greater Sage-Grouse Emergency Protection Order

Lands under the federal emergency protection order for Greater Sage-Grouse are posted on HABISask for information only. Specific legal land descriptions, prohibitions, and federal permits must be obtained from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Species at Risk Act registry site or the Justice Laws website.

Parks Canada

Surveys conducted on lands administered by Parks Canada—such as National Parks and National Historic Sites—require both a provincial species detection survey permit and a Parks Canada permit. For more information about Parks Canada permits, visit the Parks Canada Research and Collection Permit System webpage.

National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries

Federal National Wildlife Areas (NWA) and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) have strict activity restrictions to protect wild species and habitats. Surveys in these areas require:

• A provincial species detection permit; and
• Authorization from Environment and Climate Change Canada

Only activities that are neutral or beneficial to migratory birds and other wild species are permitted. For regulatory details, see:

• Wildlife Area Regulations
• Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations

Breeding Bird Scans are brief, standardized field assessments used to help proponents assess the immediate risk of incidental take – the inadvertent harming, killing, disturbance or destruction of migratory birds, nests or eggs.

Migratory birds and their nests are protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. In Saskatchewan, many non-migratory bird species and their nests are also protected under The Wildlife Act, 1998.

Breeding Bird Scans are typically conducted after full species detection surveys and within seven days prior to site disturbance, such as vegetation clearing or other construction activities. Scans help confirm that birds have not nested in the project area between survey completion and site disturbance.

The Breeding Bird Scan protocol is included in the 9.0 Grassland Bird and 10.0 Forest Bird Species Detection Survey Protocols. Scans may only be conducted under an approved Species Detection Permit. They are not a substitute for full species detection surveys or seasonal avoidance of the nesting period.

To apply, submit a completed Species Detection Application Form and supporting documentation.

Note: GPS track files are required for all Breeding Bird Scans and must be submitted to the species detection mailbox along with completed data loadforms before permit expiry.

Notification to the Ministry of Environment is required for trail camera monitoring. To provide notification, submit a species detection application, ensuring that:

• An accepted alternate Species Detection Survey Protocol (SDSP) for trail camera monitoring is on file with the Ministry of Environment for your company. If an accepted alternate SDSP is not on file or if changes have been made since the last submission, a new SDSP must be submitted using the Alternate SDSP Template.
• Current personnel forms are on file.

Monitoring may begin immediately after submission. All species observations must be documented and submitted in the species detection loadform. When submitting a species detection loadform, also include a zipped shapefile or .kml file with coordinate locations of trail cameras.

Trail cameras must be deployed, checked and retrieved in a manner that avoids disturbing wild species and their habitats. Disruptive practices to avoid include:

• Placing devices near nests, dens or other sensitive wildlife sites in a way that could attract predators or disturb natural behaviours.
• Positioning devices in ways that block movement corridors or create barriers for wild species.
• Baiting at camera trap stations is not permitted, except as described in the Swift Fox Species Detection Survey Protocol when surveying for that species.

If monitoring will be extended beyond permit expiry, request an extension by emailing sd.researchpermit@gov.sk.ca.

Authorization for amphibian salvage may be granted for temporary disturbances, such as culvert replacements or highway upgrades. Salvage allows amphibians that would otherwise be destroyed or negatively affected by project activities to be captured and relocated to an alternative release site so they can safely return to the area after construction is complete.

Amphibian salvage may be permitted as a last resort between ice-off and October 10. Proponents must first minimize the need for salvage by:

• Conducting thorough species detection surveys using amphibian visual and auditory species detection survey protocols; and
• Implementing avoidance measures, such as restricting access to construction sites by installing barrier fencing and avoiding impacts to overwintering amphibians.

If these measures are insufficient or amphibians are found in construction areas, amphibian salvage authorization may be added to an existing species detection permit. A species detection permit authorizing amphibian visual surveys is required to conduct amphibian salvage. Amphibian auditory surveys are recommended to support survey planning and mitigation.

To request authorization, submit a completed Species Detection Application Form and agree to all amphibian salvage standard conditions. All terms and conditions of the species detection permit, including personnel requirements and data submission, apply to salvage activities. See also the Amphibian Salvage Policy.

Decontamination protocols are mandatory to prevent the spread of wildlife diseases. Refer to the Guidelines for Mitigation Translocations of Amphibians – Applications for Canada’s Prairie Provinces for expected mitigation and translocation practices.

Data submission deadlines

Unless otherwise specified in your permit, species detection loadforms are due when permits expire:

• November 10th for breeding and migration season surveys.
• April 30th for winter surveys.

Early submissions are always appreciated. Late submissions may delay regulatory approvals.

Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch data submission requirements

If survey results will be included in Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch (EASB) documents (e.g. Technical Proposals, Terms of Reference, Environmental Impact Statements), early data submission is mandatory. In such cases, loadforms must be submitted to the species detection mailbox at least three weeks prior to submissions to EASB.

Loadform submission and inquiries

Timely and accurate data submission ensures compliance with permit requirements and avoids potential delays in project approvals. All species detection data must be submitted using the species detection loadform, which applies to all species detection permits.

Each loadform should reference only one permit/notification, and only one loadform should be submitted per email—except for resubmissions. Before starting species detection surveys, carefully review the species detection loadform to prevent errors and resubmissions. See the example loadform for guidance and clarification.

For bat surveys using acoustic detectors, submit a bat acoustic loadform. In these cases, submission of a separate species detection loadform is not required unless additional surveys were conducted. Use the Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Post-construction Loadform when appropriate.

An acceptable and complete species detection loadform is required to close a permit. Resubmissions may be necessary if the loadform is not completed correctly. All permits held by a company must either be closed or formally extended to remain eligible for future permit applications.

Send completed species detection loadforms and any related inquiries to the species detection mailbox at sd.researchpermit@gov.sk.ca.

HABISask Data Sharing Agreement

Under the terms of the HABISask Data Sharing Agreement, account holders must submit wild species observation reports to the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre at least once per year.

If data are collected under a species detection permit, they are forwarded to the SKCDC and do not need to be submitted separately. However, if data are collected outside of a permit (e.g., during a reconnaissance visit), these observations must be reported to the SKCDC by December 31 each year.

Observations can be reported using the appropriate loadform, available on the SKCDC's Submit Wild Species Observations webpage.

You may submit reports as they are completed throughout the year. If you did not collect any observations outside of a species detection permit, no submission is required.