Both federal and provincial governments have Species-at-Risk programs to conserve rare, threatened and endangered species--of which Carolinian Canada has many. Over 125 species in Carolinian Canada are considered vulnerable, special concern, threatened or endangered by either the federal or provincial government. Over 400 other species in Carolinian Canada are considered rare by the Natural Heritage Information Centre.

Under the new federal Species at Risk Act, these designations will have legal force and require certain actions and provide different tools for species protection and restoration.

The status of species is assessed at the national level and the provincial level. Recovery plans for species, groups of species and ecosystems are prepared to identified specific actions needed to aid in species recovery. The federal Habitat Stewardship Program provides funding for species-at-risk conservation efforts.

Ontario's Endangered Species Act provides protection for endangered species designated under the Act. A number of species have been regulated under the Endangered Species Act (See E-laws for the regulation). The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and associated regulations also provides conservation measures for many species.

The Provincial Policy Statement under the Planning Act also provides some protection for endangered and threatened species by stating that "development must not occur in significant portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species."

Under Ontario's Living Legacy program many additional resources have been allocated to assessing species' status. Species-at-risk biologists have been working in MNR offices across southern Ontario. Ontario's Provincial Parks play a special role in species-at-risk conservation.

Natural Heritage Information Centre plays a special role in tracking rare species in Ontario.

Federation of Ontario Naturalists provides educational materials on species at risk and advocates their protection at the provincial level.

Canadian Nature Federation provides a national voice for species at risk conservation and offers public education materials on species at risk. The Canadian Wildlife Federation also plays a significant role.

World Wildlife Fund Canada promotes species at risk research and conservation. In collaboration with Environment Canada, WWF offers the Endangered Species Recovery Fund (ESRF) to support wildlife at risk research, outreach and education projects by scientists and conservationists.