An independent committee of experts considers which plants and animals should be listed as at risk. The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) consists of up to 12 members with expertise in scientific disciplines or community knowledge or Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge.
The Endangered Species Act gives the committee legal recognition and specific responsibilities:
- Maintaining criteria for assessing and classifying species
- Keeping a list of species that should be assessed and classified (or reclassified) in the future
- Assessing, reviewing and classifying species
- Submitting reports regarding the classification of species and providing advice to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
COSSARO Membership
AGENCY MEMBERS BIOGRAPHIES (Click + to view members biographies.)
PARKS, DEREK (Chair)
Derek Parks is the President of Parks Environmental Inc. (est. 2010) and is a senior aquatic specialist with more than 30 years of field and assessment experience. Mr. Parks’ main focus and interests include Environmental Assessments, Species at Risk, Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) programs, fisheries and fish habitat, water-quality, environmental permitting, bioengineering and impact assessments. Educated with a M.Sc. of Biology (2003) from the University of Waterloo, a B.Sc. in Environmental Science\Biology from Trent University (1997); an Ecosystem Management Diploma (1996) and Geographic Information Systems Specialist Diploma (1997) from Sir Sandford Fleming College.
EPP, GARY (Member)
Gary Epp is the Practice Lead for Ecology for AECOM. He is directly responsible for the management and coordination of a team of ecologists. He is recognized as an expert in ecological assessment before the Ontario Municipal and Environmental Assessment Boards.
LOHNES, SHELLEY (Member)
Shelley Lohnes lives in Guelph, where she works as a wildlife and fisheries ecologist. She has spent over 15 years of her career as a practitioner in the consulting industry serving in many sectors: linear infrastructure, renewables, aggregates and mining, and land development. Her broad understanding of aquatic and terrestrial ecology allows her to effectively deliver successful projects from conceptual design to construction with an ecosystems-based approach. Her volunteer time includes mentorship of young women pursuing leadership in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, as well as serving two terms as Chair on her local community’s Environmental Advisory Committee.
How to apply to join COSSARO
If you are interested in becoming a member of the committee, please see the agency details and how to apply sections of the Public Appointments Secretariat webpage.