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Summary

The Significant Wildlife Habitat Mitigation Support Tool (SWHMiST) provides an understanding of the functions of wildlife habitat, potential impacts and recommended mitigation approaches to minimize and/or avoid impacts.

Planning authorities may request natural heritage studies if a proposed development occurs in or adjacent to areas that have been designated as significant wildlife habitat.

Significant wildlife habitat (SWH) includes:

  • seasonal concentration areas
  • rare vegetation communities or specialized habitats for wildlife
  • movement corridors
  • habitat of species of conservation concern

The SWHMiST is intended to be used after a site and/or natural heritage feature is identified and confirmed as a significant wildlife habitat.

About the tool

This information is provided to help planning authorities review assessments made by developers about the impact of a proposed development and/or land use change on significant wildlife habitat.

The tool outlines the habitat and lifecycle needs of species and/or groups of species requiring similar significant wildlife habitat features.

The function of significant wildlife habitat is described for each species or group. For example, certain woodlands function as winter concentration areas for white-tailed deer. Deer migrate seasonally to these areas, and by doing so, they increase their chances of surviving the winter. Information is provided about the composition and structure of woodlands which allow them to function as winter concentration areas for deer.

The SWHMiST also provides information regarding anticipated impacts of different types of development on significant wildlife habitat as well as information about possible mitigation techniques.