“Species at Risk” in our own backyards

By Julie Druker

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Marie-France Noel of Eastern Ontario Model Forest

On Nov. 19 in Sydenham the South Frontenac Environmental Action Committee hosted Marie-France Noel of Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF), who spoke about “Species at Risk” (SAR) in Eastern Ontario to a small group of interested listeners (SARs themselves I guess).

The EOMF is a non-profit, non-government organization whose motto is “forests for seven generations”. Their objective is to help landowners with sustainable forest management.

Eastern Ontario only has 30% of forest cover remaining, 90% of which are forested areas and woodlots privately owned by 10,000 landowners (of which I came to realize, I am one).

Noel stated point blank,“ It’s really important to get landowners involved or these species at risk will simply disappear.”

Defined as ”any plant or animal threatened by or vulnerable to extinction“, SAR are important indicators of environmental changes that impact the health and well being of our own species in a number of interrelated ways.

There are currently 185 SAR in Ontario, 45 of which are in eastern Ontario, and all of which fall under five designations: special concern, threatened, endangered, extirpated (no longer existing in certain areas) and extinct.

Most of the SAR in Eastern Ontario are found in forests and wetlands. Reptile SAR include the spotted, stinkpot, northern map and blandings turtles, the black rat and eastern milk snakes and the five-lined skink, the one and only lizard that exists in Ontario and whose numbers are dwindling as a result of the pet trade.

Mammals at risk include the grey fox, the eastern wolf and the eastern cougar.

An array of fascinating birds make up the majority of SARs and include: the bald eagle (my husband saw one on our driveway one day, so, of course we had to end our phone conversation early); the black tern; the logger shrike, which likes to impale its prey on hawthorne spikes; the red-headed woodpecker; the piping plover; and the peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on earth, which dive bombs its prey at speeds of up to 300km/hr.

The monarch butterfly is currently the only insect at risk in Eastern Ontario.

Plants at risk include American ginseng (a wild variety); the butternut tree, which is being killed by a fungal disease called cankor; deerberry; and the blunt lobed woodsia, a type of fern.

Noel lists human and natural factors that contribute to SAR: habitat degradation, pollution, the pet trade, over harvesting, human persecution, disease, invasive species, limited ranges of habitat and specialized life histories. She is enthusiastic regarding the future of these animals since the Canadian government on May 17, 2007 passed “The Endangered Species Act” which has a three-fold aim: to identify SAR, to protect them, their habitats, promote their recovery and to encourage stewardship.

Noel said that compared to older legislation the new act includes broader provisions for SAR protection and offers support for those interesting in helping to protect SAR and their habitat.

A four-year, $18 million SAR stewardship fund has been put in place, which is “available to landowners, farmers, aboriginal peoples, education or research institutions, conservation organizations, industries, municipalities and stewardship councils.”

Noel gave various examples of positive efforts that individual property owners and groups can make to protect these various species. Areas of property can be left wild, and neighboring properties can be left barrier free so species have a broader habitat in which to range. Black rat snake box homes can be made or woody debris can be left undisturbed for them to nest in. Property owners can also build nesting platforms for bald eagles.

Vehicles pose a threat to many reptiles and simply reducing your driving speed can be a great help.

Noel encouraged individuals to consider stewardship activities and to apply for funding for individual or already pre-existing recovery projects.

Wetlands can be evaluated by the MNR to receive protection and all sightings of SAR should be reported to the MNR and to the National Heritage Information Centre.

For more general info about Species At Risk

For information on the SAR Stewardship Fund

The MNR Species at Risk biologist for this area is Melissa Laplante and she can be contacted at: melissalaplante@ontario.ca