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Scales Nature Park

2023 Fieldwork Support

Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos), Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

Project Details

Project Title: Revitalizing our Inherited Stewardship of Species at Risk – Pilot Project
Funding Recipient: Anishinaabek Land Trust
Funding Awarded: $64,000
Project Partners:  The Land Between
Targeted Species at Risk:
Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos), Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

Project Status: Completed (2022-2023)

Project Summary

In 2023, the START and CARES projects faced significant funding cuts from the Rogers Family Foundation, impacting their conservation efforts. Despite reduced funding, the teams continued their work, focusing on species at risk surveys, road surveys for nesting turtles, and community volunteer training. Turtle field work concentrated on Blanding’s and Spotted Turtles, resulting in 332 Blanding’s Turtle observations and 236 captures, along with 438 observations and 53 captures of Spotted Turtles. Snake field work centered on the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, with a total of 347 observations recorded, including 231 juveniles, sub-adults, and adults, and 116 neonates. The only known Eastern Foxsnake hibernacula was surveyed, capturing two individuals for future identification surveys. Despite funding challenges, the projects recorded a total of 2,373 observations of species at risk reptiles, demonstrating their commitment to conservation.

Both projects received core funding from the Eastern Georgian Bay Initiative (EGBI) but experienced a substantial decrease due to the Rogers Foundation’s funding hiatus. Federal wage subsidy programs partially offset the reduction. The projects aimed to address anthropogenic threats like road mortality and habitat loss for endangered turtle species. CARES Project, launched in 2020, focused on species at risk snakes in the eastern Georgian Bay region, complementing the efforts of the START Project. Both projects emphasized community engagement through public education, a reptile hotline, and volunteer training.

The project area covered Simcoe County, Minesing wetlands, and the Eastern Georgian Bay region. Despite funding challenges, the projects achieved notable success in Spotted Turtle population monitoring and the training of 37 local volunteers. The Northern Spotted Turtle Surveys, conducted in collaboration with Laurentian University and funded by Pattern Energy, aimed to identify new populations of Spotted Turtles. Unfortunately, no Spotted Turtles were encountered, but the survey revealed 3 Blanding’s Turtles, 1 Massasauga Rattlesnake, and 1 Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, along with other non-SAR reptiles and amphibians.

START Field Surveys, conducted from May to September, focused on suitable locations within the project area. Blanding’s Turtles were a priority, with 129 new captures, 30 recaptures, and 332 observations. The CARES Project, facing reduced funding, captured and processed 192 rattlesnakes, with 181 additional observations. Various surveys provided valuable insights into snake behavior, hibernacula sites, and neonate populations despite limited funding affecting survey capacity. Community engagement remained strong, with the reptile hotline receiving 1017 reports in 2023. The projects aim to secure funding in 2024, continuing conservation efforts, community engagement, and long-term data collection for reptiles and amphibians in central Ontario, showcasing their commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring the success of these vital conservation initiatives.

Further Details

For more information about the ‘Revitalizing our Inherited Stewardship of Species at Risk – Pilot Project’, please visit the links below.

Anishinaabek Land Trust Website

The Land Between Website

 

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