Species at Risk

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”

I know what you're thinking, what does Dr. Seuss have to do with Species at Risk? While not an official doctor, his diagnosis above nicely sums up our Species at Risk (SAR) initiative. Over the past year the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC), in partnership with the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) and the Nipissing Naturalists Club, have met the challenge of raising awareness and promoting understanding of Ontario's SAR. Our brand of education and outreach has been prescribed to approximately 1 600 people, effectively communicating the message and encouraging the stewardship for Ontario's SAR. From government institutions like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to grassroots organizations like the Friends of Algoma East, response to the seminars, short videos, electronic lectures and posters has been incredibly positive. Based at the CEC, with travel from Thunder Bay to North Bay targeting everything in between; all will agree, both good and fun, these seminars be.

With "Part 1” now complete and spring, the symbol of hope and renewal, just around the corner, it's only natural to begin looking forward.

"Turtle Crossing" Road Sign

Our partnership has reapplied to the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, hoping to build on this year's accomplishments and success. The submitted proposal or "Part 2” will focus on stewardship, protection and recovery action for both turtle and bird species, considered at risk in Ontario. The planned approach, if approved, will utilize inventories, modern survey and monitoring techniques to direct our actions, intent on improving the quality and amount of available habitat, ultimately supporting the protection and recovery of Species at Risk.

Proposed recovery actions, for at risk turtles will include the implementation of eco-passages and/or fencing aimed at greatly reducing or eliminating road mortality, in "turtle traffic” hot spots. In those locations where road mortality is extreme, "turtle crossing” road signs and billboards will be used to increase pubic awareness and knowledge about Ontario's at risk turtles, encouraging stewardship actions. Additionally, in regards to at risk birds, local expertise and knowledge, as well as Forest Resource Inventory (FRI) maps will aid in targeting suitable habitat areas, essential in conducting bird counts.

Blanding's Turtle Crossing the Road

Credit: Christopher Edge

Results of these counts will be used to create suitable habitat for the target species and where appropriate, nesting boxes or other species residences would be installed.

"We have reached a lot of people with our education and outreach program, but there is still a great deal of work to be done,” said Matt Meade, the CIF's Species at Risk Coordinator. "I'm very excited about the possibilities our new application proposes and if we use the bridges and friendships we've built this past year we can make a real difference in the protection and recovery of our species at risk,” added Matt.

Press Releases & News Articles

The Last Line of Defence: A Review of Ontario's New Protections for Species at Risk

Ontario's Species at Risk are becoming Second Nature!

Partnership to Launch Species at Risk Education & Outreach

Forget Dracula, I want to be a Sirex Woodwasp

Mattawa Public School Learns about Species at Risk at the Canadian Ecology Centre

Peeping-Tom Report a Hoax - But Birds of a Feather Flock Together!

Species at Risk Tools

......Second Nature Presentation (PDF Version)

.Species at Risk Poster (11x17)

....Species at Risk Video (100 Mb)

Did You Know...

5 - Ontario is home to more than 30,000 species, 186 of which are currently identified as being at risk. - OMNR

4 - Currently there is an estimated 550 cougars in Ontario. - The Ontario Puma Foundation

3 - The Flooded Jellyskin (Ontario's only "at risk" lichen species) has only been reported from 8 locations in North America, 5 of which are in Ontario. - Royal Ontario Museum

2 - The venom of Massasauga rattlesnakes is more toxic than that of most other rattlesnakes, but given its secretive, docile nature you are more likely to die from a dog bite or bee sting. - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1 - 90% of Butternut trees in Ontario are infected with Butternut canker, a fungus which induces multiple cankers resulting in partial to complete tree death. - Nipissing Naturalists Club