There are 291 species of birds known to breed within the province. Of these 204 species that breed in The Land Between. But over 300 species visit this area. Despite such a large number of bird species that can be seen here, the amount of bird watchers in The Land Between is relatively low. Birding appears to be a “dying” art…but perhaps we can reinvigorate it!

According to Lang Research Inc. (2006), people who view wildlife are slightly more likely to be female (52.9%) and are between 25-54 years old. Of this age range, most are within the 35-44 and 45-54 age range and are more likely to be married with dependent children (LRI, 2006) (CCC, 2011). As of 2013, 25% of Canadian households had bird feeders or houses on their property, and houses with children were 29% more likely to have them (Statistics Canada, 2013). If the household is located within a major urban area, the household is 16% less likely to purchase bird-related products than those in a less urban area (36% vs 20%) (Statistics Canada, 2013). That said, Statistics Canada noted that in households with people aged 25-44 and with no younger or older people, only 12% of these households provided food or shelter for birds (Statistics Canada, 2013).

With wildlife viewing being the second most common outdoor activity in Canada (Birdwatching making up 7.5% of these people), why is it that the number of birdwatchers are so low and the average birdwatcher is middle-aged?

I personally think that it has something to do with the lack of outreach, that we as dedicated birders provide to non-birders. It could also be something to do with the distractions of modern technology or the diminishing amounts of and access to nature. That is why we here at The Land Between are making an effort to reach out and attempt to get people of all ages into the awesome hobby of birdwatching. Not only is it a fulfilling pastime but the region as a natural refuge, provides ready access to so many birds.

Like many other kids growing up, I found myself hooked on collecting things, playing hide and seek, as well as those fun “spot-the-difference” or find the hidden object games we’ve all played at some point or another. Quite frankly, bird watching is no different than those childhood games we all loved. It’s a matter of finding things in nature, sometimes playing hide-and-seek with that tricky Warbler, or sometimes its being able to check off a species observation on your life list. Of course, people bird watch for various reasons; some, to photograph the beauty of our flighted friends, some to see how many species they can find in various areas or over various lengths of time, and some to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Whatever your reason to bird watch, it remains an easy to do hobby that opens the world to us.

The daunting task of learning to identify the birds around us can be quite the deterrent for some people who are interested in entering the hobby, but it shouldn’t be the reason they don’t join. That is why we are making an effort to get people into birding within The Land Between. Currently, we have a video on our website of birding basics, as well as a slideshow on how to identify the 25 most common bird species within our bioregion. We are working on a large, “how-to-identify”-video of all of the common and uncommon bird species in The Land Between, which should be on our website in the coming months. After that, we will create another video on the identification of the rare bird species. Phhheww it is a lot of work…but we hope that it can support your interest and help you develop the identification skills you need over many years!

Additionally, we have created a life checklist for The Land Between. To help keep track of what birds are observed, birders use what is called a “life list”. Quite simply, it’s a checklist of species- a form that we use to track whether or not we’ve seen the target bird species. Therefore, to help you keep track of the birds you see in The Land Between, we’ve created a comprehensive list of all 305 species that regularly occupy The Land Between, all in an easy-to-carry field-ready booklet. This checklist breaks down the species into families and is a tri-fold guide so it’s easy to store in a backpack or pocket. Carrying and completing a checklist not only helps keep track of the species you’ve seen, but it transforms birdwatching into a challenge to “complete the list” which can inspire you individually or that you can use as a team contest.

Creating such a list took time! To make the list first, we had to look through all of the 500 or so bird species reported in Ontario, and then narrow them down to species observed within The Land Between. From close to 500 birds, we calculated nearly 350 species for the region. Next, we had to look at observation dates and numbers, to determine whether the observation was a one-time rarity or regularly occurring species. If the species had not been observed within the last 20 years, it was not included on the checklist. This ensured the checklist was smaller and more accurate, which brought us down to 305. As well, if the bird had been spotted recently, but numbers of observations (known as “counts”) were less than 20, the bird was considered a rarity (such as with the Carolina Wren, which is a more southern species that rarely occurs here in The Land Between). These rare birds were given a red dot to indicate their uncommonness. The checklist was then assembled and designed. It is now available for download on our website or for purchase from our online store (if you desire stock quality paper)!

Birdwatching is a rewarding hobby that stimulates your eyes and ears to open to the world around- even in urban areas, birds abound! Before I became an avid birdwatcher, I was not mindful of them, simply because I did not know what species they were or what behaviours they had. However, after learning to identify a few of them and learning a bit about their patterns and movements, I can now understand the “language of birds”- I can foretell if the weather is changing, if there is an owl nearby because of the cackling of crows, that there may be a wetland over the hill, and I can also tell if something is “amiss” in the woods- all from the species and behavior of the birds. Birds can help us interpret and understand the natural world around us. For me, the allure of birdwatching isn’t simply to gather the most species for my life list or to be the best in terms of identification, but it is the joy of learning, exploring and sharing the experiences with others. Sharing the joy in connecting to nature and others is the simple reason we are working to create a more beginner-friendly tools that are easily accessed.  

If you are a new birder, or are interested in learning more about the birdwatching world, please don’t hesitate to watch our videos, visit our website to learn more about what The Land Between has to offer, or book an excursion with us. You can also contact us if you have questions related to birding that you want answered. If you’re a veteran birder or have suggestions for ways to make birdwatching more accessible to people, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at info@thelandbetween.ca with all of your tips and suggestions!

We hope that you use and enjoy our new birding life-list/checklist, and that your binoculars are clear and your enjoyment soars!

Written by Xavier Tuson

 

References:

Carolinian Canada Coalition, EarthTramper Consulting Inc. and Pier 8 Group. [CCC] 2011 (May). Birding in Southwestern Ontario, Premier Birding Destinations and Tourism Marketing Opportunities, Product and Regional Marketing Plan. Prepared for the Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation.

Lang Research Inc. [LRI] (2006). TAMS 2006. Canadian Activity Profile, Wildlife Viewing While on Trips. Prepared for: Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Quebec Ministry of Tourism, Travel Manitoba, Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership, Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Department of Canadian Heritage, Tourism British Columbia, Parks Canada Agency, Government of Yukon, Government of Northwest Territories.

Statistics Canada. 2013. Canadians and Nature: Birds, 2013. <https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/16-508-x/16-508-x2015001-eng.htm>. Accessed 12 Dec 2020

What is Happening to Our Loons in Ontario?

 

The Common Loon (Gavia immer) is Ontario’s provincial bird and a well-known character in cottage country – its mournful wails and uplifting laughter play the song of summer for many who retreat to the wilderness for peace and relaxation. With their striking appearance, magnificent diving skills (watch this if you have you never seen a loon diving underwater) and the way in which they effortless glide across the water’s surface,  it is no wonder they are often looked upon with awe. It would be difficult to picture Ontario’s wilderness without them as Ontario currently hosts more than one third of the global population of breeding Common Loons. However, it has become known among scientists that something quite troubling has been happening to the loon population in Ontario for many years now, and it may get worse if we continue on the same way.

 A recent study (2020) conducted by Bianchini et al. found that the reproductive success of loons has been on a consistent decline in Ontario. (The decline is by 0.10 six-week-old young per pair per year. The data includes 38 years of observations from over 1500 lakes that were monitored by citizen scientists since 1981 as part of the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, a program run by Birds Canada.) By carefully analyzing long-term reproductive data in conjunction with long-term lake health data, scientists have confirmed that the cause of the decline can be linked to two major factors – acid rain and mercury. Other factors related to human-born disturbances including noise and habitat loss are also leading to decreases. But before we delve into how these factors it is important to understand a little bit about the loon lifecycle.

A Little Bit About Loons

Loons are long-lived species, living up to 30 years in the wild. They typically mate for life, however, some studies say it is for 20 years and therefore some loons may have 2 mates in their lifetime. They like to return to the same breeding grounds in the early spring right after ice-break and will often reoccupy the same lake and nesting area year after year to raise their young. Loons are excellent swimmers but do not fair well on land so they build their nests very close to the water’s edge, often along the shoreline in mats of reeds, mud and sticks where they can hide from mammalian predators on land. Once the young hatch in late June, they can swim virtually immediately but sometimes rest on their parents’ backs to conserve heat and hide from predators such as large fish. After 11-12 weeks, the chicks start diving for their own food, and by the time they are adults, they feed almost exclusively on fish from the lake, diving up to 80 m deep to catch their prey. As with other migratory birds, loons also take off in the fall and head further south to the Gulf of Mexico or towards the east or west coasts of North America for the winter.

As top predators on the lake food chain, loons are highly connected to other animals in a lake ecosystem. For example, when a loon eats a fish it is not just connected to that fish, but also all the food which that fish ate, plus all the food which the fish’s prey ate and so on all the way down the ladder. As such, each time an animal eats another animal, pollutants and contaminants can gather in greater concentrations inside the feeding animal – this concept is called biomagnification. Top predators are highly susceptible to biomagnification because they are at the end of the chain and have consecutively consumed large amounts of pollutants from the organisms below them on the food chain. So how does this all relate to acid rain, mercury and declines in loon reproduction?

 

Likely Causes of Decline in Loon Reproduction Rates

Sulfur oxides from acid rain help feed sulphate-reducing bacteria in lake ecosystems, which then convert mercury into a more bioavailable form, known as methylmercury, for uptake by animals. This process becomes more rapid as climate change increases the frequency and severity of flooding and precipitation events. As a result, lakes that have been exposed to acid rain but are not large enough or do not have enough nutrients, such as calcium, to buffer the acid will turn more acidic. This leads to more methylmercury production, the contamination of aquatic organisms such as fish, and the subsequent contamination of birds, such as loons, who eat the fish. Mercury compromises the immune system and behaviour, making loons spend less time hunting for fish and chicks more susceptible to predators. The acidification of lakes also negatively affects the size of fish populations and the level of biodiversity, leaving less food for loons and their young. Essentially, acidic lakes lead to the contamination of fish and other organisms with mercury, causing declines in these species and cascading effects up the food chain to loons.

Even though air pollution levels (sulfur dioxide) have declined in recent years, many lakes have been slow to recover and thus remain acidic due to little buffering capacity. Climate change only worsens this scenario by warming our lakes and preventing cold water-loving fish species (a food source for loons) from re-establishing. Droughts are also becoming more common and further contribute to the acidification of lakes and the production of methylmercury by re-exposing sulfur in sediments and wetlands. In addition, changes in temperature and precipitation have caused an increase in black fly abundance in the spring which torment chicks and can lead to nest abandonment. Droughts and flooding have also made nest sites inaccessible in some areas. In conclusion, sulfur oxides from acid rain, in combination with multiple climate change stressors, have led to an increase in methylmercury levels in lakes, resulting in lower reproductive rates for Ontario loons.

But acid rain, mercury and climate change are not the only problems. Shoreline development has been cited as a large threat to loons who rely on healthy, vegetated shorelines for nesting and raising their young. Studies have shown that hatchling success decreases as cottage prevalence increases, mainly because disturbed shorelines remove nesting habitat and make loons more vulnerable to predators. Boating can also result in collisions and direct loon mortality, as well as nest abandonment due to disturbance.  Finally, excessive noise and at key times during after nesting season can also lead to nest-abandonment.

Although the Common Loon population is relatively stable in Canada, compared with species that are listed at risk, the decline in their reproductive success in Ontario means a steady decline in their population size over years (Tozer et al., 2013). It is also predicted that there will be a 56% loss in their current breeding range by 2080 as loons head north to evade the effects of climate change (National Audubon Society, 2015).

 

The Decline in Loons Means So Much More

Reproductive success of loons is used as a bioindicator for how healthy lake ecosystems are since loons are at the top of the food chain and rely on a plethora of organisms lower on the food chain. Healthy food webs are needed to successful fledge chicks, therefore declining loon reproduction rates also correspond to declining lake health.

 

How Can You Help the Loon?

A major portion, if not all, of the projected losses of the loon population can be avoided if we take action now. There are many simple steps that the average person can do to support the conservation of loons and restoration of their habitats right in our own backyards!

• Do your best to prevent acid rain. The acidic part of rain comes from sulfur dioxide and mono-nitrogen oxides which get released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. You can reduce the level of these gases in the atmosphere by opting for more eco-friendly choices such as reducing your gas emissions (carpool, ride your bike or walk where possible instead of driving, paddle your boat when you want to cruise across a lake), saving energy (using energy-efficient appliances and turning off lights and electronics when not in use), or opting for green technologies (solar, wind, and water). You can also support the research of alternative energy sources by donating to energy organizations and charities.
• Participate in monitoring loon populations and become a lake steward. Becoming a citizen scientist is extremely valuable to the work that scientists do – it allows them to learn much more about loon populations on a much larger scale than what would be feasibly possible using just their own resources. You can become a steward on your own lake to advocate for better boating, fishing and shoreline practices at the same time as monitoring loon populations by signing up to be a participant of the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey.
• Be mindful of boating and fishing practices. There have been many reports of loons being killed from colliding with boat motors, especially because loons are diving birds and are therefore more difficult to locate when travelling on the water at fast speeds. If you know there are loons on your lake, do your best to keep your eye out and reduce your speed. Try to avoid areas where you know loons frequent. Large boat wakes can also damage a loon’s nest along the shoreline and dislodge eggs from nests, causing them to be lost in the lake. Reducing your boating speed to under 10 km/h within 30 m of the shoreline can mitigate these risks to loons. In addition, ensure your unwanted tackle, fishing line and plastics are disposed of correctly to avoid loons and other animals such as turtles from becoming entangled and injured.
• Restore your lakefront property. Loons depend on shorelands for nesting opportunities. These areas must be relatively free from human disturbance and should be well-vegetated to provide refuge from predators. Leaving fallen logs in place will also encourage fish (food for loons) to inhabit the area, as well as provide a base for a potential nest. Need help deciding how to restore your shoreland? You can attend a Design Your Own Shoreline Garden workshop or contact us for a site visit. We can help you with a habitat stewardship plan to identify options for loon conservation.
• Keep the trees and shrubs. Natural vegetation within shorelands, and including downed or dead trees, shrubs and even leaves, contribute to calcium levels in lakes. Calcium helps buffer against acidification from acid rain, which in turn helps reduce mercury levels and ensures the base of the food chain in the lake is healthy. Natural vegetation at the shore especially also provides habitat for loons and other declining wildlife such as skinks, salamanders, and songbirds.
• Limit use of fireworks. Loons, like many other wildlife species, are frightened by loud erratic noise, which may lead them to abandon nests and offspring. Silent fireworks are available for sale in the UK- and can be purchased online. Use laser light shows to celebrate events. Alternately choose to celebrate in more developed areas such as community parks. Finally, wildlife is not as vulnerable at certain times of year- especially in the winter.

 Article by Angela Vander Eyken

 Sources:

Bianchini, T., Tozer, D., Alvo, R., Bhavsar, S., & Mallory, M. (2020). Drivers of declines in common loon (Gavia immer) productivity in Ontario, Canada. The Science of the Total Environment, 738, 139724–139724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139724

Evers, D.C., Paruk, J.D., McIntyre, J.W., & Barr, J.F. (2020). Common Loon (Gavia immer). https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/comloo/cur/introduction

Heimberger, E. (1983). The Impact of Cottage Development on Common loon Reproductive Success in Central Ontario. The Wilson Bulletin (Wilson Ornithological Society), 95(3), 431–439.

National Audubon Society. (2015). Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report. http://climate.audubon.org/sites/default/files/Audubon-Birds-Climate-Report-v1.2.pdf

Nature Canada. (2015). How much do you know about the Common Loon? https://naturecanada.ca/news/blog/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-common-loon/

Tozer, D. C., C. M. Falconer, and D. S. Badzinski. 2013. The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey 1981-2012: 32 years of monitoring Common Loons as indicators of ecosystem health. Published by Bird Studies Canada. 14 pp. https://www.birdscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CLLSsummary.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download in PDF: 

Sources:

Bianchini, T., Tozer, D., Alvo, R., Bhavsar, S., & Mallory, M. (2020). Drivers of declines in common loon (Gavia immer) productivity in Ontario, Canada. The Science of the Total Environment, 738, 139724–139724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139724

Evers, D.C., Paruk, J.D., McIntyre, J.W., & Barr, J.F. (2020). Common Loon (Gavia immer). https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/comloo/cur/introduction

Heimberger, E. (1983). The Impact of Cottage Development on Common loon Reproductive Success in Central Ontario. The Wilson Bulletin (Wilson Ornithological Society), 95(3), 431–439.

National Audubon Society. (2015). Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report. http://climate.audubon.org/sites/default/files/Audubon-Birds-Climate-Report-v1.2.pdf

Nature Canada. (2015). How much do you know about the Common Loon? https://naturecanada.ca/news/blog/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-common-loon/

Tozer, D. C., C. M. Falconer, and D. S. Badzinski. 2013. The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey 1981-2012: 32 years of monitoring Common Loons as indicators of ecosystem health. Published by Bird Studies Canada. 14 pp. https://www.birdscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CLLSsummary.pdf

 

 

Since the beginning of human record, people have been creating artwork based on their natural surroundings. From cave paintings of wild animals to complexly rendered landscape paintings, we have explored our long and dynamic relationship with land, plants and wildlife. There seems to be no end to our revelry for the beauty of a sunset or the power of a tiger. We are connected to place often through nature and wildlife and our experiences of them.  Artistically expressing the beauty of nature gives everyone something to be see and be excited about. But could art do more for humans and wildlife than visual stimulation and celebration? How can wildlife and public art create stronger communities?

For several years, I have been painting murals across Ontario, working with communities to foster local pride with artwork that reflects local history, stories and ecology. Painting a mural is performative work. As my team and I paint, we are often (happily) interrupted by onlookers who wish to express their joy and wonder about our work. Locals pass by and want to share their stories and experiences in the neighbourhood as well as their passion for art. These exchanges should never be taken for granted. As a community comes together to share, relationships and connections are made over two commonalities: the artwork, and the place. The experience of sharing their story and watching the work evolve leads to a sense of ownership and participation that connects people to the work, deepening the connection to place and community. Public murals reach audiences beyond the art galleries and the sometimes “superior” air that accompanies “high art”. Murals are for everyone and they present messages to all who see them.

My murals aim to beautify and unite communities.  I have painted everything from folklore dragons in Chinatown, to historical stories of colonialism in Port Union. Also, I restore murals. After preparing the surface to restore a 20-year-old heritage mural, I can testify to value of a mural in a community, because as the old, peeling paint is scraped away, those passing by begin to frantically ask questions…”You’re not painting over this are you?”  “What is happening here?!” The relief when I explain otherwise, is evident and often followed by expressions of gratitude: “It’s my favourite stop on this street…I walk past it every day to work”.

 

Like the murals that draw people in, natural spaces also unite communities with a positive bond.  The happy spaces of the wild draw people of all walks of life. Like art, we can experience a range of emotions amidst wild spaces; from peace and tranquility to a rush of excitement. The sights and colours in the wild areas are a gateway to a deeply personal experience.  The memory of a hike includes the physical labour, the act of discovery, the time shared with others or the insight gained from the experience. Nature is enjoyed by a larger spectrum of senses than the eyes; and the memory of the experience is what ties us to a place.

Therefore, both individually and better together, art and nature can unite people by connecting them to the land, wildlife, community, and memories to create a shared sense of belonging. The key factor behind the creation of community is shared experience. Each community is unique. It is critical that people understand and celebrate their distinctiveness.

As I developed the Turtle Guardians mural in Haliburton, the positive community impacts were evident before the mural had even been completed. As people joined together over coffee and lunch at Baked and Battered, dozens of people stopped daily to talk with me about the large snapping turtle I was painting on the side of the restaurant. They shared with me their experiences with turtles, where they live, their love for wildlife and the Haliburton area. The mural was joining community members together by sharing stories and common experiences. As they watch the mural develop, and chat with me, they become a part of the process. They share a piece of the monument. Having learned a thing or two about the gentleness and vulnerability of snapping turtles, many were eager to become more involved with the turtle and habitat conservation efforts by the Turtle Guardians program of the Land Between charity. The painting had sparked the interest of nature lovers to engage further with wildlife and their local community. However, a bigger win was the consideration and new perspectives that were generated from the process and painting; individuals who previously misunderstood snapping turtles as dangerous or worthless, now saw them in their true light as iconic invaluable animals. The mural serves to illustrate and testify that wildlife and community are one in the same; that both are dependent on people working to preserve these assets.

 

Article and Artwork by Stacey Kinder

This past December, an Ojibwe translation of a popular childrens’ book about a young boy helping turtles safely cross a busy road has been published by the Long Point Biosphere Reserve (LPBR).  The translation was a collaboration with the Ojibwe-speaking Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, whose Treaty Lands and traditional territory include the LPBR.

Entitled “Kaa Wiika Boontaake” (“Never Give Up”), the colorful book tells the story of little Johnny’s determination to protect his friend “Snapper” and other turtles from heavy traffic.  Written and illustrated by Long Point cottager Jan Everett, the story is based on her husband John’s efforts to save turtles along the Long Point Causeway, the unofficial gateway to the LPBR.

 

“Recognizing the significance of the turtle in Indigenous culture, we approached the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) to help us translate the book into Anishinaabemowin, the common language of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi peoples of the Three Fires Confederacy”, said LPBR president Rick Levick. An Ojibwe First Nation, the Mississaugas of the Credit have been allied to this Confederacy for more than 200 years.

The translation was done by James “

Mawla” Shawana (Odawa/Pottawatomi from Wiikwemkoong First Nation), a language teacher at the Lloyd S. King Elementary School in the MCFN community near Hagersville, Ontario for the past 12 years.

“The Mississaugas of the Credit would like to thank the Long Point Biosphere Reserve for reaching out to our First Nation”, said Chief R. Stacey Laforme. “Our shared collaboration will allow students at the elementary school in our community to enjoy a special experience — reading this popular children’s book in Anishinaabemowin.”

Chief Laforme added, “Collaborations such as these are small but important steps on the journey of reconciliation, miigwech (thank you).”

Since 2014, more than 3,500 English and French copies of the book have been sold with the proceeds supporting on-going maintenance of exclusion fencing and wildlife culverts that were installed along the Causeway to reduce road mortality of turtles and snakes including several Species at Risk.

 

“The story of Johnny and Snapper parallels the 10-year, $2.7 million effort by the Long Point community that reduced reptile deaths on the Causeway by nearly 80 per cent”, said Levick.  Details about this effort and the role of the LPBR are included in English at the end of the book.

Never Give Up was translated in 2019, the International Year of Indigenous Languages but publication was delayed due to the COVID 19 outbreak.

“We are honoured that our book “Never Give Up” can now be enjoyed in Anishinaabemowin. This truly is a book for children of all ages”, said author Jan Everett and husband John.

 

Plans are underway to launch the book with a virtual reading by author Jan Everett and translator James Shawana to the students of Lloyd S. King Elementary School.

The LPBR will be distributing free copies of Kaa Wiika Boontaake to other Anishinaabe communities across Ontario and offering it for sale at www.longpointbiosphere.com.

The Long Point Biosphere Reserve promotes research, monitoring, community outreach and education, partnerships, and projects that support the goals of biodiversity, conservation and sustainable communities in Norfolk County. We exchange information and work collaboratively with the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association, as well as other biosphere reserves in Canada and around the world.

 

The Mississaugas of the Credit are an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nation with 2,600 band members, of whom approximately 800 live on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation near Hagersville, Ontario. For more information please visit www.mncfn.ca.

 

The Never Give Up book is now available in the Turtle Guardians online store

 

 

Each year (well. this is only our second year) the Turtle Guardians team under the artistic leadership of Jaime Kearnan, puts together our annual calendar.  Jaime builds sets and costumes for the turtles and then goes to work designing scenes for each month of the year. It is an involved and creative process for sure! These calendars are coveted by all the kids that have attended Turtle Camp or watched Turtles at Two on our Facebook channels, or who have volunteered with us to babysit nesting turtles, monitor wetlands, or with their parents, conduct research on adopted sections of roads. The Turtle Guardian calendar is a collectible- full of fun photos and educational facts about turtles too!  Sales from the calendar go directly to support our turtle threat mitigation program: turtles take up to 60 years to replace themselves, and losses of adults and habitats can result in local extinctions in short order. Beyond nest predation, road injury or mortality are the largest threats in Ontario. But there are so many to counter;  the pet-trade, fishing bycatch or fishing accidents are also leading causes of turtle losses in Ontario. Now too, the protection for our wetlands has been significantly diminished and turtle populations are at further risk of disappearing in our lifetime. The sales of the Turtle Guardians calendar help support our strategic work to maintain populations: We install turtle tunnels and specialized fencing- The Turtle Guardians program of The Land Between has targeted potential underpass sites (areas were turtles cross the road and where we can direct them under the road through culverts) and mitigation areas (areas where we can install fencing with jump outs, signage and other solutions)- and in 2021 we will begin installing the first prototypes of affordable turtle directive fencing and are working with local road departments for solutions in areas without culverts. We create curricula for schools and train kids. adults, and communities to help turtles and in 2020 we recruited 300 new Guardian volunteers! We help turtle populations succeed by excavating nests and incubating turtles eggs (under a special permit) and releasing hatchlings back to their nest locations. These nests would otherwise be compromised from construction or road traffic. And we work with landowners to create stewardship plans for their properties including wetlands. In 2021 we will be working with municipalities to advance conservation too!

To purchase your turtle calendar and support our work- as well as decorate your walls with inspiring and fun photos, visit the online store 

Thank you for your support! Turtle-on in 2021!

2020 has been an unprecedented year for the world – with many people feeling anxious about the future and vulnerable in the present. More than ever we understand the values of relationships and human kindness, and the peace, comfort and wellbeing that nature delivers us. This year we, at the Land Between charity, have worked tirelessly to develop meaningful programs where individuals, kids and communities can participate, learn, gain new skills and experiences and support conservation. We have created online Community Science programs, school curricula, educational resources, and new apps and technologies to help us care for the Land and Wildlife. We have also trained volunteers, collaborated with partner groups, and brought on young vibrant staff. Together we rescued hundreds of turtles, incubated over 14000 turtle eggs, researched rare bird and reptile habitats, met with harvesters to advance our collective knowledge about the state of our forest ecosystems, shared Traditional teachings with children in schools and explored new solutions, and we restored significant areas and acres including shorelands.  In 2021 we are preparing to install turtle underpasses, bird monitoring stations, and manage invasive species. We are cataloguing agricultural innovations towards local food security, advancing the capacity for the green building sector, and supporting the creation of an Indigenous Land Conservancy.

More than ever, as the world is distracted by an uncertain future, we need to ensure the source of our well-being is thriving today. All of nature flourishes to benefit us- by providing clean drinking water, pollinators and food sources, oxygen and air filtration, assistance in climate regulation and climate change resiliency, medicines, essential products, and also peace, inspiration and awe.

This year the challenges facing charities in Ontario, especially those focused on environmental conservation, have been extreme. Despite these obstacles, we have remained committed to Nature protection- to be an aid and a voice for those that cannot speak- the wildlife, wild spaces and next generations. We continue to strive to be part of the solution.

We expect that the difficulties in areas of capacity, funding, and legislative supports will only increase- unless we can show Ontario that nature holds value and that our health and wellbeing are tied to it’s vitality. Part of that demonstration must involve having living areas and wildlife to connect to. Therefore we are asking you to consider us in your year-end giving. Consider becoming a monthly donor, or making a gift in 2020 to The Land Between.

We work to ensure each dollar is used wisely and leveraged to extend its value. We appreciate your support in any amount.

We wish you peace, love, and health for 2021.
With warm wishes,
The Land Between charity

Donate to Save Nature in Ontario’s Highlands

While warmer temperatures and increased storms are often the focus of climate change stories in the media, the often overlooked byproduct of climate change is the impact it has on animals. Just within these last two weeks, many rare birds have been documented in Ontario due to the crazy wind storm we had on the weekend. These rare birds are often blown way off course and end up somewhere they don’t belong. This is the case with the Green-tailed Towhee (a predominantly Western United States bird) that ended up in London, Ontario, and the Gray-crowned Rosy-finch (a predominantly Western North American bird) that was seen in Marathon, Ontario. These sightings pale in comparison with the Variegated Flycatcher (A bird native to South America) that was spotted in Whitby, Ontario (Only the second time it has been spotted in Canada, the first being in Ontario in 1993).

Birds like the Variegated Flycatcher are not designed for the harsh winters of Canada and have a much harder time surviving in our climates. With a lack of food availability (with the Variegated Flycatcher being an aerial insectivore, feeding predominantly on insects), there is little chance for the birds to stock up enough energy to make the return flight home against such strong forces of nature. For birds such as these listed, climate change introduces another obstacle in an already hard life. Nature Canada found through 63 years of data research that birds are laying eggs earlier, losing valuable habitat, and are arriving from migration earlier while departing later due to warmer temperatures (Nature Canada, 2020).

These changes are caused not only by warming temperatures, but environmental fragmentation as well, causing birds more prevalent in the south to venture farther north in search of suitable habitat (Nature Canada, 2020). Habitat loss and fragmentation is the second largest threat to our survival on the planet to climate change, and yet it also compounds impacts of climate change (UNESCO).

With birds changing their ranges, it opens them up to increased pressure from ecological changes as well as local parasites and competitors. It also allows competitors and prey to become overabundant in the areas they have left (Nature Canada, 2020). As an example, some birds who feed predominantly on forest pests such as Spruce Budworms and Tent Caterpillars, are leaving areas with these insects for areas with more suitable habitat for nest rearing. The result is an increase in these pests due to the lack of their natural predators (Nature Canada, 2020). For some birds, the shift in warmer temperatures and having to find more suitable habitats, leads to a loss of nesting success and, in worst case scenarios, death (Nature Canada, 2020). In other cases, the shift in seasons means that there will not be enough food for hatchlings that are laid earlier in the year.

Whether we like to acknowledge it or not, animals are impacted by our actions more than we

care to think about. While the opportunity to see rare birds in environments that we normally wouldn’t can be an exciting idea for some, the thought that these birds may not survive their new environment diminishes the excitement of simply seeing a rare bird (at least for myself, it does). The impact climate change has on the world, especially the world of birds and bird migration, is a scary yet very real threat we need to take into consideration when determining how we go about both our daily lives as well as our battle against climate change and how we manage or develop our properties.

This is only the beginning of the changing climate, and we can already see the negative impacts it has on our bird populations. If we wish to continue to admire these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats, and if we hope to hear their songs in the spring and summer, and witness their migrations in the fall, we need to be more conscientious of our lifestyles; all it takes is willing people like you and I to make a positive change in the world for the future of these wonderful winged wonders. Even small changes such as keeping more areas natural in our yards, reintroducing native plants and trees, reducing night lighting, and installing thermostats and sensors to regulate our power consumption helps. It is cumulative. Each bird and each action counts.

 

Written by Xavier Tuson, Conservation Technician with The Land Between charity.

 

Reference:

Nature Canada. 2020. How climate change is affecting birds https://naturecanada.ca/discover-nature/about-our-birds/how-climate-change-is-affecting-birds/#:~:text=Birds%20most%20at%20risk%20of,on%20multiple%20habitats%20and%20sites. Accessed 19 Nov 2020.

Every time a species goes extinct or is lost from a given area, global biodiversity is irreparably damaged and destabilized. Specific causes of losses to biodiversity are varied, but the predominant and severe causes of global species extinction are summarized by HIPPO.

No, we are not talking about the cute but albeit huge 3500 pound African mammal, instead the HIPPO we are talking about is an acronym. HIPPO stands for Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, Human Population, and Overharvesting. This HIPPO is not an exotic creature, but is one found in your own backyard, and unfortunately it is becoming more familiar to us all:

Habitat Loss

Habitat loss is the single greatest threat to biodiversity on Earth today and in fact it is the second largest threat to our existence on this planet next to Climate Change. Habitat loss is sometimes sweeping and significant, but equally harmful is the death by a thousand cuts; the removal of plants in your backyard, or trees in an urban setting.

Human activities such as urban development (construction of homes, businesses, roads, and cottages), resource extraction (logging, mining, oil and gas), and agriculture (land conversion to farmland) degrade or completely eradicate areas on which species depend for food and shelter. For example, as a result of human activities, Southern Ontario has lost over 70% of its wetlands, 98% of its grasslands, and 80% of its forests, resulting in the loss of habitat for countless species of plants and animals (Sierra Club Canada). In this flyway alone, and in just 50 years, we have lost over 75% of songbirds because of habitat loss. The loss of birds means we have also lost the essential pest control services that they provide, and also agents of seed dispersal. Habitat loss, threatens 84% of government-listed Species at Risk in Canada (Venter et al. 2006).

Habitat loss can also take the form of night lighting; this unnatural condition removes habitat for most animals, birds and even fish…especially from LED lights which mimic daytime spectrums. Even plants will not respire under LED lights. Undue noise levels from industry and fireworks can also alter nigh-time habitats and sleeping patterns of wildlife. Also removing small but natural features can reduce habitats; from removing “debris” along shorelines which takes away essential fish habitat, to raking leaves, which removes shelter for small mammals and insects.

Natural events such as storms, forest fires, floods, and droughts also have the potential to alter or eradicate habitats. And while these events are natural occurrences, overall, or until recently, they do not compare to the losses caused by human activities- and yet they are also amplified as a result of climate change- a phenomenon aggravated by human activities.

Invasive Species

An invasive species is any non-native organism whose presence negatively impacts one or more native species in a given area. An invasive species can render a habitat unsuitable for our native species by out-competing them for food, sunlight, and even by crowding native species out, such as with Phragmites, a willowy grass known also as European Common Reed. Phragmites takes over entire wetlands and shoreline areas and can completely alter habitats so that amphibians, turtles, birds, and fish can no longer survive there.

Invasive species can also proliferate such as with zebra mussels, where there are no predators to keep them in check.

Pollution

In Canada, burning fossil fuels and coal to heat homes, power cars, and generate electricity produces approximately 700 Megatons of carbon dioxide per year (National Inventory Report 2018). This influx of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere directly impacts air and water quality, and therefore the health of individual species. It also significantly contributes to the effects of Climate Change.

Pollution also includes the release of effluents from industrial and agricultural processes into the natural environment. For example, nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from agricultural fields can cause large algal blooms that starve the water, and therefore its inhabitants, of oxygen. These situations also threatening the biodiversity of an area. For instance, the collective pollutants that accumulate along the Mississippi River and all major river systems in the USA, and are deposited in the ocean, render the coastline of Maryland or even the Gulf of Mexico inhabitable by any life (Biello 2008). Solid waste, specifically plastic, also poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Not only does the waste take up huge amounts of space on land and in our oceans, it takes hundreds of years until it decomposes and it also strangles, suffocates, and poisons species who mistake it for food.

Human Population

According to the United Nations, the current global population is approximately 7.6 billion people, and is predicted to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.  According to the Ontario Ministry of Finance, the current population of Ontario is approximately 14.57 million people, and is expected to reach 18.4 million by 2041. As the global human population increases, without new ways and behaviours, other threats to biodiversity such as habitat loss, pollution, and overexploitation will intensify.

Over-harvesting

Over-harvesting, is the extraction of a resource from the natural environment at an unsustainable rate. Over-harvesting can include trees, plants, and animals that are targeted for their meat or other body parts. For example, the Passenger Pigeon was harvested to the point of extinction. Also years of unchecked harvesting of the wild American Ginseng, a species native to The Land Between, has left its populations dangerously small. It is now critically endangered of becoming extinct.

Why should you care?

Our health, long-term wealth, and general wellbeing are dependant on Nature. Biodiversity provides invaluable services that are irreplaceable, cannot be duplicated, and are not readily monetized such as air and water purification, pest and disease control, pollination, carbon sequestration, water supply regulation including flood control, etc. and also aesthetic, spiritual and recreational services.

Canada harbours 20% of the world’s freshwater, 25% of the world’s wetlands, 25% of the remaining global temperate rainforests, and is home to over 71,000 individual wildlife species (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2019, McCallister 2015). An estimated 13% or more of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product depends directly on nature from tourism, fiber production, and agricultural production. (Environment Canada 2012).  This does not include other resources such as value added forest supplies, peat supplies, natural medicines, commercial fisheries, sport fisheries, hunting, maple syrup, and other economic assets derived from otherwise renewable resources.

Change and conservation are increasingly in the hands of the people rather than governments. Therefore, it is our responsibility to do protect nature here.

What you can do?

Pay attention to the HIPPO in your backyard!

Any help is a big help- from keeping native plants around, reducing unnecessary noise and night lighting, reducing waste, up-cycling items, and recycling others. Also, you can advocate for nature conservation in your municipality; join an environmental committee, or volunteer to monitor wildlife, to patrol roads for turtles, or to remove invasive species.

Studying one animal’s biology and needs will lead you to the entire world of biodiversity because everything is linked.

Anything you can do to combat the HIPPO in your yard, will make a world of difference.

Live Humbly. Live in Sync with Nature. Live Well.

Written by Siena Smith, Conservation Technician

Sources:

• Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2018. National Inventory Report 1990–2016: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada. Gatineau, QC: Government of Canada. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/eccc/En81-4-2016-1-eng.pdf
• Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2019. Summary of Canada’s 6th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Gatineau, QC: Government of Canada. https://biodivcanada.chm-cbd.net/sites/biodivcanada/files/inline-files/EN_Summary%20of%20Canada%27s%206th%20National%20Report_Final_1.pdf
• Oscar Venter, Nathalie N. Brodeur, Leah Nemiroff, Brenna Belland, Ivan J. Dolinsek, James W. A. Grant, Threats to Endangered Species in Canada, BioScience, Volume 56, Issue 11, November 2006, Pages 903–910, https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2006)56[903:TTESIC]2.0.CO;2
• http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/edward_o_wilson_the_loss_of_biodiversity_is_a_tragedy/
• https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/biodiversity
• Major threats to biodiversity loom on Canadian economy: federal briefings
• https://www.sierraclub.ca/en/video-biodiversity-in-ontario
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fertilizer-runoff-overwhelms-streams/.
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/phragmites-fact-sheet
• https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/world-population-prospects-2017.html
• https://www.livescience.com/27339-hippos.html
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/conserving-biodiversity
• Photos: Gene Taylor and Julie Wolpers

Understanding Eurasian Watermilfoil: What is it, How Did it Get Here, What are its Impacts, and What Can We Do to Prevent its Spread?

What is Eurasian Watermilfoil?

Eurasian Watermilfoil is an alien of sorts…but not the kind of alien that you may be thinking of! It is called an alien, or invasive species, because it is not native to North America, but rather Eurasia – hence the name Eurasian Watermilfoil. This aquatic plant has a “feathery” appearance and usually grows between 6 – 9 feet tall under the water but can reach heights of up to 20 feet. That’s taller than a one-storey house! In addition to being very tall, this rooted, slender plant is also a fast-growing perennial, meaning it regrows every year and is persistent through all seasons due to root crowns that are preserved throughout the winter.

Eurasian Watermilfoil tends to take over parts of the lake where it establishes, growing in thick, dense mats in shallow waters (typically between 1-4 m deep but sometimes as deep as 10 m) with branches that reach the top of the water and form a canopy. In the summer, you can spot this invasive species without even going in the water by observing its orangey-red flowers poking through the surface of ponds and lakes in late July and August. But be careful! Eurasian Watermilfoil also has a very close look-alike which is native to Ontario, called the Northern Watermilfoil. These two species can be distinguished from each other using the general rules depicted in this diagram:

How Did Eurasian Watermilfoil Get Here and How Does it Spread?

Now that we know what it looks like and how to differentiate it from native species, let’s learn a bit about the history of how it got here. As we mentioned previously, Eurasian Watermilfoil is originally from Eurasia (Europe and Asia), as well as northern Africa. It was introduced into Canada in the 1960’s and was first reported in Lake Erie in 1961. There are conflicting theories on how it got here but the two main speculations are that it arrived either through contaminated shipping ballast or through aquarium releases. Others also say it may have been introduced as fresh packing material for worms or even intentionally by anglers to improve fish habitat in lakes!

Regardless of its origins, Eurasian Watermilfoil is here and continues to spread further across Ontario to inland lakes via boats, boat trailers and equipment carrying plant fragments from infected waters. In fact, there are three main ways in which Eurasian Watermilfoil disperses: stem fragmentation, seed dispersal and stolon formation. Stem fragmentation occurs when stems either break off naturally from the plant after flowering, or from mechanical disruption from boat motors and propellers. The fragments then get dispersed via a combination of natural currents and recreational boating practices. It is important to note that Eurasian Watermilfoil is highly susceptible to mechanical disruption from boat motors and can spread extremely well when this happens. In either case, the plant is able to travel far distances to establish in a new area. It can also spread to new areas via seed dispersal, although this method is not as significant. Once established in a new area, the plant expands locally by using stolon formation where a stem grows along the ground from a parent plant to form new roots and vertical stems a few centimeters away. It grows best in waters with temperatures above 15°C, with high nutrients and little vegetation cover. However, these are only optimal conditions – Eurasian Watermilfoil is highly adaptable and can grow in a range of environments, allowing it to proliferate in virtually all waters in central and southern Ontario.

What are the Impacts of Eurasian Watermilfoil?

By now, you are probably thinking, “So what? What’s wrong with having this non-native plant in our waters?”. Well, Eurasian Watermilfoil is not just scary to swim in and frustrating to boat in (being tangled in a thick dense mat of “seaweed” is not fun), but it also interferes with fisheries, water quality and resident wildlife. It takes over native fish habitat by obstructing space and disrupting fish feeding patterns. You would not be able to cast a line in this mess without getting snagged – that’s if there were even fish there to catch in the first place! Not only does it invade habitat, it also can reduce oxygen levels in the water, therefore making the ecosystem less inhabitable for other aquatic species, including tiny invertebrates. Even worse, this plant can encourage the infestation of mosquitoes by creating stagnant water, and lower property values.

What Can We Do to Prevent the Spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil?

There are many simple measures that you can take in your everyday life to help prevent the spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil. These include the following:

• Avoid boating near areas or in lakes that are infested with Eurasian Watermilfoil since propellers can break fragments and spread them to other areas (check https://www.eddmaps.org/Ontario/distribution/viewmap.cfm?sub=3055 to see if Eurasian Watermilfoil or other invasive species have been found in your lake)
• Inspect and spray down your boat, trailer and fishing gear to get rid of plants and dirt before leaving each fishing spot
• Drain any water from your boat and gear (ballast tanks, bait containers, motor, drain bilge, livewell and baitwell) before leaving each fishing spot
• Dispose of unused bait in the trash
• Do not plant Eurasian Watermilfoil in your aquarium or backyard pond and avoid releasing aquarium contents into water bodies (instead put them in the garbage or return or donate unwanted plants and pets)
• Report Eurasian Watermilfoil and other invasive species to EDDMapS Ontario (https://www.eddmaps.org/), a web-based mapping system

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of invasive species is to learn how to identify them and differentiate them from native species. With the help of this blog and other resources (refer to the “Sources” section at the end of this blog), you can learn how to spot Eurasian Watermilfoil, report it to invasive species tracking platforms, and avoid its accidental spread. To learn more about other invasive species in Ontario, visit http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/.

 

By Angela Vander Eyken

 

 

 

Sources:

Cunningham, J. (2014). Invasive Species of the Pacific Northwest: Eurasian Watermilfoil Myiophyllum spicatum. https://depts.washington.edu/oldenlab/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Myriophyllum_spicatum_Cunningham_2014.pdf

Government of Ontario. (2018). Eurasian water milfoil. https://www.ontario.ca/page/eurasian-water-milfoil

Jensen, D. (2016). Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). Minnesota Sea Grant. http://seagrant.umn.edu/ais/watermilfoil

Lui, K., Butler, M., Allen, M., Snyder, E., da Silva, J., Brownson, B., & Ecclestone. (2010). Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species: Identification, collection and reporting of aquatic invasive species in Ontario waters (3rd Edition). Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. http://www.invadingspecies.com/download/field-guide-to-aquatic-invasive-species-3rd-edition/

Menninger, H. (2011). A review of the science and management of Eurasian watermilfoil: recommendations for future action in New York State. Finger Lakes PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management). http://fingerlakesinvasives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/NYISRI-EWM-Report_Final_11Nov2011.pdf

University of Minnesota. (2008). Identification of Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). https://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/understanding/media/ewm_factsheet2008.pdf

Williams, H., Willmott, T., Wright, I., & Elliot, T. (2018). Eurasian water-milfoil management plan for Shawnigan Lake, BC. Cowichan Valley Regional District. https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/DocumentCenter/View/89788/Shawnigan-Milfoil-Report_Final

 

 

 

This month we felt it was important to share some very significant news; News that has been shared around Ontario in many circles and which affects your community, your safety, and your children’s health and wellbeing for the future.
In the last 2 years, massive changes to fish and wildlife protection, wetland and water protection, and nature conservation have occurred – and all while the world was distracted by COVID. Also, we can expect more major changes in the next weeks…

First, the provincial government has undermined protection for species on the brink of extinction in Ontario, and has centralized authority so that Ford and his Ministers will have veto power to override even municipal protections to allow for development in critical wetlands, forests and habitats. This will have a trickle effect harming other species of fish and wildlife whose populations are also struggling;  such as kingfishers, moose, painted turtles, lake trout, beaver, loons and more. Ontario was the first province in Canada to pass legislation to protect endangered species in 1971 and the Act was gold standard. It is now flaccid.

• Ontario Government Proposes to Reduce and/or Remove Protection of Species at Risk in Pay to Slay Legislation
• https://nowtoronto.com/news/doug-ford-environment-endangered-species
• https://globalnews.ca/news/5250500/ford-government-proposes-major-changes-to-ontarios-endangered-species-act/

Next, the provincial government reduced the rights of Ontarians to be informed and for their voices to be heard when it comes to major development proposals. The dismantling of the Environmental Bill of Rights makes way for major development to occur without the public necessarily knowing or even having any say in the matter.

• The Removal of Environmental Protections and Centralization of Powers (even above Municipalities) in the Name of COVID. Also you can Download the Details/Analysis by the Environmental Law Association

After that, the Ford government allowed forestry companies (and with a view to allowing aggregate companies) exemptions under the law, so that they don’t have to look out for Threatened and Endangered species in their practices- now practices may impact habitats and homes for wildlife from sawhet owls, bears, martins, fishers, songbirds, to caribou, wolverines, and more. This move has trappers and some smaller foresters extremely concerned because trap lines will be empty and seed sources, broad leaved plants, and soil mitochondria will be demolished by the spraying of Glyphosate,  jeopardize the ability of functioning forests to regrow:

• Ontario Government Exempts Forestry and Looks to Exempt Aggregate Industry from Endangered Species Act Requirements

And now, in the same omnibus bill brought forward under the guise of COVID economic recovery, Ford, is removing the powers of Conservation Authorities. “The Conservation Authorities Act, 1946 was legislated by the province of Ontario in response to concerns expressed by agricultural, naturalist and sports groups who highlighted that much of the renewable natural resources of the province were in an unhealthy state as a result of poor land, water and forestry practices during the 1930s and 1940s.(Conservation Ontario).” Gutting this legislation removes public support systems that ensure our safety from flooding and that looks after water supplies for lakes, aquifers and food production, and that conserves our wetlands which contribute to water filtration, and provide essential habitat to  70% of Ontario’s fish and wildlife species.

• https://conservationontario.ca/policy-priorities/conservation-authorities-act

And all these massive changes, which send us back almost a century in wisdom, rights and protections, have taken place in short order. Like his previous dismantling, Ford has rushed these changes through. The public only has almost no time or opportunity to express concerns.

If you wish to join those expressing concerns and be heard, click the link below, send a letter/email to our MPP, and spread the word.

• The Ontario Government Removes Powers to Protect Water and Nature from Conservation Authorities