Distribution (range) polygons were assembled by regional SARA biologists using the best available information, including COSEWIC status reports, recovery potential assessments, academic literature, and expert opinion. These spatial data support the protection, recovery and conservation of species listed as Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under SARA. Species distributions are also described and displayed in Recovery Strategies, Action Plans and/or Management Plans. Discrepancies may exist between the distribution data shown in a species SARA recovery document and the current spatial data. Please contact DFO for more information on any data discrepancies. Please refer to the metadata included with the data for full entity attribute information

The Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent Rocky Mountains Forest Reserves in Alberta. The Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve is an area designated through a Legislature Act in 1948 that provides the conservation of the forests and the protection of the watersheds and rivers on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains.

This is a linear disturbance dataset for the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills region of Alberta. This dataset was created to support spatial analyses of linear disturbances in the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills region for the Alberta Environment and Parks report entitled 'Linear Disturbances in the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills of Alberta: Review of Potential Ecological Responses' which can be found at https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460140338. All linear disturbances are grouped into five categories using attribution from input data sources. These include: paved roads. gravel roads. unimproved roads, unclassified roads, and truck trails. pipelines and powerlines. and cutlines and trails. Please note: this legacy dataset will not be updated. For questions regarding the data, please contact AEP.Data@gov.ab.ca.

Flood maps are created by combining hydraulic model results with high-accuracy ground information. Field surveys and LiDAR remote sensing are used to collect river and floodplain elevations, channel cross section data, bridge and culvert information, and flood berm details. A hydrology assessment using recorded and historic flow measurements is typically used to estimate river flows for a wide range of possible open water floods with different chances of occurring each year. When appropriate, an ice jam frequency analysis is undertaken. All this information is used to build a hydraulic model of a river system, which is calibrated using highwater marks and aerial imagery from past floods to ensure that results for the different flood flows being mapped are reasonable. Flood inundation maps show areas at risk for different sized floods, including ice jam floods in some communities. These maps also identify areas that could be flooded if berms or other flood control structures fail and are typically used for emergency response planning and to inform local infrastructure design. Flood hazards have not been identified along all rivers or through all communities, and it is important to remember that risk exists in areas without provincial flood maps. Visit www.floodhazard.alberta.ca for more information about the Flood Hazard Identification Program. The website includes different sections for final flood studies and for draft flood studies. Flood maps can be viewed directly using the Flood Awareness Map Application at floods.alberta.ca. The Alberta Flood Mapping GIS dataset is updated when new information is available or existing information changes. therefore, the Government of Alberta assumes no responsibility for discrepancies at the time of use.

The Parks and Protected Areas dataset contains Parks and Protected Area boundaries for sites administered by Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism, Government of Alberta. National parks, because of their similar intent, are also included. Boundaries have been interpreted from written legal descriptions appended to Orders-in-Council. In case of discrepancy between the GIS data and the written legal description, the written legal description shall take precedence. Please note that this dataset replaces the following datasets: Ecological Reserve, Heritage Rangeland, National Park, Natural Area, Provincial Park, Provincial Recreation Area, Wilderness Area, Wilderness Park, and Wildland Park.

This dataset is a spatial representation of the boundary for the Kananaskis Conservation Pass for which a written legal description will be created. Visit alberta.ca/ConservationPass or albertaparks.ca for more information about the Kananaskis Conservation Pass, including a map. The pass will be in effect for both parks and public land within this boundary, pending Bill 64, the Public Lands Amendment Act passing in the legislature. The area includes Parks, Recreation Areas, Public Land, and the Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ). It excludes the McLean Creek P.R.A., Fisher Creek P.R.A., and the McLean Off-highway Vehicle Use Zone. The Public Lands Camping Pass for random camping on the Eastern Slopes does not apply to public land in the Kananaskis Conservation Pass area.

The Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone is the geographic extent of Alberta which indicates the intention of the Government of Alberta to recover grizzly bears. The Recovery Zone is also be a priority for attractant management, management of other sources of human-bear conflict, and building public education, awareness, and understanding of grizzly bears and their recovery. The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan Management Zones dataset contains four layers: Grizzly Bear Core Access Management Area, Grizzly Bear Secondary Access Management Area, Grizzly Bear Habitat Linkage, and Grizzly Bear Support Zone. Please see the individual metadata records for additional details on each layer.

Exploration Restricted Area was developed from reported flowing holes as per the Exploration Regulation (AR 214/98).

The Public Land Recreation Trail dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent Public Land Recreation Trails in Alberta. A Public Land Recreation Trail is an area of public land designated under the authority of Section 180 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation of the Public Lands Act. Public Land Recreation Trail was formerly known as Forest Recreation Trail under the Forest Recreation Regulation under the Forests Act. No changes to the Forest Recreation Trail data layer were made when it was migrated to become the Public Land Recreation Trail dataset.

The goal of this dataset is to help guide the site selection process to areas with lower risk to Alberta's wildlife and wildlife habitat. The dataset was developed in concert with the Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects and Wildlife Directive for Alberta Solar Energy Projects and reflects potential risks to wildlife and wildlife habitat. Risk value zones and habitat features identified within the Directives have been ranked as follows: Critical Wildlife Zones and Non-Accessible Areas: Areas included in this category are either designated as protected areas or identified as critical importance for one or more wildlife species of conservation concern. These areas also included non-accessible areas such as National and Provincial Parks and Protected areas, military bases, and named waterbodies. These areas must be avoided by renewable energy projects. High Risk: Several Wildlife Sensitivity Layers are ranked as High Risk since these areas are likely used by one or more species at risk or priority management species. The Directives recommend avoiding areas ranked as high risk. Moderate Risk: These wildlife habitat areas are considered to be at a moderate risk since species at risk or priority management species can likely inhabit these areas. Due to the close proximity to native grasslands and the potential of habitat values existing for multiple species in these areas, there will likely be risks that could require mitigation considerations and potentially added costs to siting renewable energy projects in these areas. Lower Risk: The remaining areas of wildlife habitat of the province are considered to be at lower risk since the chance of a species at risk or priority management species occurring in these areas is less likely than the other ranked areas. The lower risk areas are typically between 500 - 1000 meters from native grassland. However, there is still the potential of these areas possessing quality wildlife habitat. If a species at risk feature is identified, mitigation is required as per the Directives which may impact the overall project costs, siting and operations. For more information on risk categories and methods used to create this dataset, please visit the following link: http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-land-use-guidelines/documents/InterpretingWildlifeHabitatSensitivityMap-Aug-2017.pdf