Reptiles, often elusive and misunderstood, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of our landscapes. At The Couchiching Conservancy, our commitment to conservation extends to these fascinating creatures through dedicated reptile monitoring programs. These efforts not only help us understand species dynamics but also aid in protecting their habitats for future generations.
Watch the video to the right to follow along with Toby, Aiesha, Izzy and volunteers on their outing to one of the Conservancy’s easements.
At The Couchiching Conservancy, part of our job and the role of many of our volunteers involves reporting on the presence of species-at-risk (SAR). These are species that have been assessed, through scientific, community, and aboriginal traditional knowledge with the conclusion that the species populations are at risk of being lost. There are 4 different levels of risk, before extinction -special concern, threatened, endangered, and extirpated.
Table 1: Definitions of different Species-at-risk statuses in Canada.
|
Term |
Definition |
Examples for Ontario |
|
Special concern |
The species may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. |
Barn swallow, Monarch, snapping turtle |
|
Threatened |
The species is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. |
Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern wolf, Eastern hog-nosed snake |
|
Endangered |
The species is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. |
Red-headed Woodpecker, Rusty-patch bumblebee |
|
Extirpated |
The species no longer exists in the wild in Canada (or a specific region of interest), but exists elsewhere in the wild. |
Timber Rattlesnake |
|
Extinct |
The species no longer exists |
Passenger pigeon, |
*Definitions from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/glossary-terms.html
Why monitor for Reptiles and other Species-at-risk?
Most of the turtle and snake species in this region are Species-at-risk. We do surveys searching for reptiles for a number of reasons:
- Indication of healthy habitat: the presence of species-at-risk are an indication of healthy habitat. Species-at-risk tend to be in decline due to their sensitivity to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and loss of food sources. If a habitat is rich in species-at-risk, it is likely to be a high-quality (or even a rare) ecosystem.
- Contribute to research: Data on species-at-risk counts and locations are submitted to databases to be used by researchers. This contributes to the understanding of the populations, ranges, and preferred habitats of these species. We also make note of what the species are doing when we see them. This helps us learn about the different habitats used for finding food, sleeping, breeding, and raising young and all of these location. A loss in any one of these habitats could have devastating impacts on a species.
- The Endangered Species Act, 2007: Ontario has legal protections for Species-at-Risk. Before building, developers must identify whether species-at-risk are present on the land. If development could impact SAR, developers apply for a permit. The development will not be able to proceed without specific permits. The permit process involves:
- minimizing harm to the SAR
- mitigation strategies such as habitat offsets – which allow developers to destroy the habitat if they protect or build a new habitat elsewhere
- Demonstrating an overall benefit to the species
- Tax incentive: The Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program allows the Couchiching Conservancy to pay reduced property taxes if we show that species-at-risk are present on the protected land. Thanks to volunteer-documented species observations, the Adams Nature Reserve saved over $3,204.21 in property taxes in 2024 alone!
With the proposed repeal of the Endangered Species Act, there may no longer be strong protections for Species at Risk and their habitats. If this concerns you, please contact your MPP, MP and Ontario premier.
How You Can Help Reptiles:
Here are practical steps individuals can take to support reptile conservation efforts:
- Help the Couchiching Conservancy protect land. Donations help use purchase new nature reserves and cover costs of their monitoring and upkeep. Click here for donation options.
- Advocate for maintained habitat connectivity. Talk to your local councilor or MPP about the importance of wildlife-friendly culverts and bridges to allow wildlife to bypass roads safety. Learn more about our own project to create an eco passage here.
- Report Species-at-risk: Learn to identify the different species-at-risk in Ontario. Here is a guide. Report species-at-risk to iNaturalist but make sure to obscure the location of your observation to reduce the risk of the animal being poached or purposely searched out and killed by humans (yes, this happens, especially with snakes).
- Reduce Pesticide Use: Minimize pesticide use to protect reptiles from chemical exposure.
-
Educate Others: Spread awareness about the importance of reptiles in ecosystems and advocate for their protection.
By working together, we can ensure that reptiles continue to thrive in their natural habitats. Join us in preserving these ancient and vital species for generations to come.
Read more Field Notes here to learn about other stewardship work.