Wildlife sensitivity maps

The wildlife sensitive feature layers that AEP uses are derived from

• Aerial Surveys
• Historical Information
• Movements of Collared Animals (Telemetry)
• Specific Habitat Types

These range delineations are based on all available scientifically-derived information.

Key Features

These wildlife feature layers provide industrial operators, government departments and the general public with the best information currently available on the extent of wildlife sensitivities.

These layers are also available through the Landscape Analysis Tool used by the Government of Alberta. Specific operating conditions apply to industrial activities within these sensitive feature layers to help mitigate the effects of development on wildlife populations and habitat.

• Landscape Analysis Tool

Wildlife Sensitivity Data Sets

Spatial Data Layer Formats

Provincial Wildlife Sensitive feature spatial data layers are available in GIS-usable format that require GIS software such as ESRI® ArcGIS and are provided in the following WinZip files for each sensitivity layer.

Non-GIS users can access the tabular data by opening the *.dbf tables files in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel. These files are represented in the GCS North American 1983 Geographic Coordinate System.

In most cases, each wildlife sensitivity layer has been developed as a single shapefile layer (ESRI Arc Map/ArcView Shapefile - .dbf, .prj, .shp, .shx, .sbn, .sbx, .xml). However, in other cases, a wildlife sensitivity may be represented by 2 or more layers.

Metadata has been compiled and embedded within each shapefile, however non-GIS users may access the metadata by opening the *.xml files using a web browser. These data layers have been endorsed by the department as representing the wildlife sensitivity layers.

• Fish and Wildlife Internet Mapping Tool (FWIMT)
• Fish and Wildlife Internet Mapping Tool (FWIMT) Quick Reference Guide

January 8, 2021 – Changes to Key Range Layers and Key Wildlife Layers

Key Range Layers

Layers based on known extent or partial extent of a species range in Alberta. These ranges can assist with surveys for identification of a feature, or identify where mitigation strategies are to be applied.

• Burrowing Owl Range
• Caribou Range
• Caribou Range Zone A
• Caribou Range Zone B
• Endangered and Threatened Plants Ranges
• Five-needle pine science support document
• Greater Sage Grouse Core Area
• Greater Sage Grouse Recovery Area
• Greater Sage-grouse Science Support Document
• Greater Short-horned Lizard Range
• Greater Short-horned Lizard Habitat
• Greater Short-horned Lizard Science Support Document
• Ord's Kangaroo Rat Range
• Ord's Kangaroo Rat Habitat
• Ord's Kangaroo Rat Science Support Document
• Sensitive Amphibians Ranges
• Sensitive Raptor Range
• Sensitive Snake Hibernacula Range
• Sensitive Snake Hibernacula Science Support Document
• Sensitive Snake Habitat
• Sharp-tailed Grouse
• Swift Fox Range

Key Wildlife Layers

These maps identify the locations of key wildlife areas important for the viability and productivity of Alberta's wildlife populations. Mitigation strategies are generally applicable to maintain the intent of these important areas.

• Piping Plover Waterbodies
• Trumpeter Swan Waterbodies and Watercourse
• Grizzly Bear
• Mountain Goat and Sheep Areas
• Mountain Goat and Sheep Areas Disease Buffer
• Mountain Goat and Sheep Areas Disease Buffer Science Support Document
• Key Wildlife and Biodiversity Zones
• Special Access Zone
• Colonial Nesting Birds

For more information on any of these layers, please contact:

• Gavin Berg, Provincial Wildlife Habitat Specialist

Critical Habitat of Aquatic Species at Risk

This layer identifies aquatic critical habitat for aquatic species at risk and is protected from destruction under federal Critical Habitat Orders [Species at Risk Act s.58].

• Critical Habitat of Aquatic Species at Risk
• Critical Habitat of Aquatic Species at Risk Science Support Document

It should be noted that this layer only represents aquatic critical habitat where a Federal Protection Order is in effect. There may be additional species or locations where aquatic critical habitat has been identified and this layer will be updated as new Critical Habitat Orders are applied.

Proponents and Disposition Holders should contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada in relation to the application of the Species at Risk Act (Canada) and specifically to determine responsibilities and obligations for protection of aquatic critical habitat regardless of the presence of Critical Habitat Orders.

Fisheries Protection Program
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
867 Lakeshore Road
Burlington, Ontario  L7S 1A1
Telephone: 1-855-852-8320
Email: [email protected]

For additional information, visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website at:

• Aquatic species at risk
• Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program
• Projects near water

Also visit the Government of Canada website at:

• Species at Risk Public Registry

Federal Emergency Order for the Protection of Greater Sage-Grouse

This identifies the area under Federal Emergency Orders in Alberta. Presently, the only Federal Emergency Order identified is the Federal Emergency Order for the Protection of the Grater Sage-Grouse. To obtain more information on the Species at Risk Act (Canada) and the prohibitions set out in the Emergency Order for the Protection of the Greater Sage-Grouse, individuals can contact:

Canadian Wildlife Service - Prairie Region
Environment and Climate Change Canade
Eastgate Offices
9250 49th Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6B 1K5
Telephone: 1-855-245-0331 (toll free)
Email: [email protected]
Web address: Species at risk public registry

• Federal Emergency Order