A new joint effort is aiming to bring awareness to biodiversity in Chatham-Kent with a focus on at-risk turtles in Ontario that can be found in your own backyard.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority announced Monday they will be teaming up for an awareness campaign to make sure residents know where at-risk species may live and how public action can limit impacts on the animals.
According to Environmental Scientist Kelly Johnson, more than 100 species listed as either endangered, threatened, or are a special concern on the at-risk list, have been identified in Chatham-Kent.
Some of the species are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and plants.
(Photo via Municipality of Chatham-Kent)
"Turtles are particularly at risk to danger from traffic as they cross roadways and occasionally nest along road shoulders," said Johnson. "Seven of Ontario’s eight species at risk turtles can be found in Chatham-Kent."
LTVCA Manager of Conservation Lands and Services Randall Van Wagner concurred that at-risk turtles face particular threats from human activity.
“All turtles are at risk in Ontario. Habitat loss is the main reason, but road mortality also plays a big role, as many turtles move to find suitable nesting sights to lay their eggs and are susceptible to being hit on our roads,” said Wagner. “Other reptiles such as snakes suffer a similar fate especially areas around wetlands like Erieau, Mitchell's Bay, Prairie Siding and Shrewsbury where Eastern Fox snake occur.”
In collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the LTVCA will be targeting aquatic species that are at risk in the region.
"Through science, research, and field data we are taking that information and working with landowners to mitigate and naturally restore areas that have Species at Risk present," said Wagner.
South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci, who brought forward the issue at council, said it is the municipality’s responsibility to help protect species at risk.
“If we want to be seen as a municipality that cares about the environment and species at risk, we need to do more than talk, we need to act,” said Ceccacci. “We have willing partners both in terms of organizations and concerned members of our community and we need to do our part to act as good stewards of this beautiful part of the planet we are fortunate to live on.”
