Range Planning

Saskatchewan's woodland caribou range is divided into two conservation units, based on the ecozone boundaries of the boreal shield (SK1) and the boreal plain (SK2). The SK2 caribou conservation unit is further divided into three administrative units: SK2 West, SK2 Central and SK2 East. Saskatchewan's woodland caribou are part of a continuous population without discrete boundaries, so ranges are delineated for administrative purposes.

Saskatchewan is developing caribou range plans to provide strategic direction for managing caribou habitat in all administrative units. Plans are developed through a planning table process, engaging with First Nations and Métis communities and multi-disciplinary stakeholders. Range plans guide caribou habitat management through:

1. Avoiding or minimizing new habitat or sensory disturbance in important caribou areas;
2. Using forest harvest patterns strategically to create and maintain older patches of forest;
3. Reclaiming and restoring old disturbance to create habitat;
4. Managing access to reduce caribou exposure to people and predators; and
5. Mitigating some types of new disturbances by restoring habitat through offsetting in other areas.

Habitat Management in SK2

Provincial Crown Resource Lands in SK2 have been divided into three caribou habitat management area (CHMA) Tiers: 1, 2 and 3. The Tiers are used to strategically apply range plan management strategies across the landscape. The currently identified CHMAs are intended to be in place for a period of at least 20 years, after which time they will be re-evaluated.

The primary management objectives are:

Tier 1: Retain habitat
Tier 2: Restore habitat
Tier 3: Maintain landscape connectivity

The ministry is developing guidance for industries that operate in caribou range to support project planning and execution in alignment with the range plan habitat management objectives for each CHMA tier.

What is a Range Plan Infographic

The SK1 Caribou Conservation Unit roughly follows the boreal shield ecozone in Saskatchewan and overlaps the traditional territories of the Dene and Cree and home of the Métis. It encompasses rocky shield, sandy plains and varying topography of the Athabasca Plain ecoregion in the northwest and Churchill River Upland ecoregion in the southeast.

The forest of the boreal shield is shaped by some of the highest rates of wildfire in Canada. Compared with the boreal plain (Sk2), the amount and intensity of land use activities are much lower, resulting in large areas with limited human-caused habitat alteration.

The population size for SK1 is estimated to be approximately 4,000 animals, based on a study of radio-collared caribou from 2013-18 (McLoughlin et al. 2019). This population is currently considered stable. Ongoing monitoring is required to confirm population status and trends. Land user caribou observations can assist in understanding caribou occupancy. The ministry has a Report a Woodland Caribou form and application that people can submit caribou sightings and sign to at any time.

For more information on SK1, see the SK1 Background Information document.

SK1 range planning table meetings began in December 2023 and subsequent planning tables are underway.

For more information on how to participate in SK1 range planning, please contact woodlandcaribouproject@gov.sk.ca.

SK2 West is located in the Boreal Plain ecozone of Saskatchewan. SK2 West provides the physical connection between caribou habitats in Saskatchewan and Alberta. It has a large amount of high-value habitat, and it also has the highest levels of both wildfire and total (human-caused and wildfire) disturbance within SK2.

Caribou population numbers are not known in this area. Results from population monitoring are anticipated in the near future.

The target for SK2 West is to reduce the current level of human-caused disturbance.

The draft range plan for the SK2 West Caribou Administrative Unit was released in December 2019 for public review and comment and finalized in October 2021.

Range Plan Woodland Caribou in Saskatchewan - Boreal Plain Ecozone – SK2 West
Appendices – SK2 West
Overview – SK2 West

SK2 Central is located in the Boreal Plain ecozone of Saskatchewan. SK2 Central provides the physical connection between caribou habitats in the eastern and western portions of the province’s northern forests. It has the highest level of human disturbance in SK2.

Caribou population decline has been confirmed in this area.

SK2 Central Population Monitoring Infographic
SK2 Central Population Trend Analysis Summary

The target for SK2 Central is to reduce the current level of human-caused disturbance.

The draft range plan for the SK2 Central caribou administrative unit was released in October 2017 for public review and comment and finalized in 2019.

Range Plan for Woodland Caribou in Saskatchewan - Boreal Plain Ecozone - SK2 Central
Appendices – SK2 Central
Overview – SK2 Central

SK2 East is located in the Boreal Plain ecozone of Saskatchewan. SK2 East provides the physical connection between caribou habitats in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It has a large amount of high value habitat and the lowest levels of human-caused disturbance and wildfire within SK2.

Caribou population numbers are not known in this area. Results from population monitoring are anticipated in the near future.

The target for SK2 East is to maintain at least 65 per cent undisturbed habitat.

The draft range plan for the SK2 East Caribou Administrative Unit was released for public review and comment from October 2021 to January 2022.

DRAFT - Range Plan Woodland Caribou in Saskatchewan - Boreal Plain Ecozone – SK2 East
DRAFT - Appendices – SK2 East