In Ontario, 6 of 8 turtle

species, 11 of 16 snake

species and our only lizard

species are listed as at risk, and all

are declining

A problem is

Meet and Greet (My Clients)

Scott Gillingwater

Limiting Factors •  Habitat Loss/

Degradation •  Road Mortality •  Improper

Agricultural Practices

•  Pollution (Direct and Indirect)

•  Persecution •  Predation •  Collection

A Little Visual Assistance

Road Mortality

Distribution of Converted Natural Areas in Southern Ontario

(Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Natural Heritage Information Centre 2002)

Solutions are Difficult •  Development will not

end •  Subsidized predators

adapt easily to new challenges

•  The human population in southern Ontario continues to grow

•  Out of sight, out of mind – not enough education or funding opportunities exist

Rare Reptile Research and Education Program in Southwestern Ontario

•  Since 1994, a long-term reptile research and recovery initiative has been active in

southwestern Ontario

•  Initial surveys for the spiny softshell turtle along the Thames and Sydenham Rivers, later evolved into long-term research and education efforts directed at a number of reptile species

•  Targeted areas have included a number of river and lake sites in southwestern Ontario

Three Approaches

Science Education Sympathy

SCIENCE •  The collection of long-term

data has been a key component, necessary for the effective recovery of species and habitat in this region.

•  Detailed surveys and research programs have been initiated on a number of species within lake, marsh and river

habitats.

Radio Telemetry

Useful for:

- Seasonal movements -Habitat selection and use

- Home range -Susceptibility to local threats

- Behaviour -Urban and rural ecology

•  Provide base data on populations

•  Changes in health, habitat and population can be monitored over the long-term

•  Habitat use data collected •  Monitor prevalence of

injury and disease •  File notches into hard-

shelled species, and PIT tag soft-shelled species.

•  Both marking techniques provide some degree of protection from poaching.

Surveys •  Revisiting historic

sites •  Investigating recent

public sightings •  Exploring potential

new sites

•  Habitat Identification •  Habitat Creation •  Nest Protection •  Input Into Recovery Documents

linking single species recovery strategies with multi-species initiatives

•  Influence Planning Decisions •  Increased Enforcement

•  Located, marked and studied two of the largest populations of Blanding’s and Spotted Turtles in Canada as well as the largest known queen snake populations

•  Have collected long term data on the three largest communal softshell turtle nesting sites in Canada

•  Have gathered data on all of Ontario’s turtle species and many snake species through direct research and/or surveys

•  Data collected have influenced recovery actions, federal and provincial species listings and species understanding in natural and altered landscapes

•  Planning decisions now include SAR reptile needs in the City of London and surrounding areas

… Results continued

•  Protected over 900 SAR turtle nests, releasing thousands of young into the environment

•  Over 2000 SAR turtles have been marked with data collected on size, sex, age class, injury, illness, habitat

•  Telemetry research has assisted in understanding movement and habitat use, providing information useful in planning decisions

•  Reptile oviposition, gestation, hibernation and thermoregulation site creation has enabled degraded sites to again support natural processes

•  Nests found by humans in 2008: 85

•  Nests found by Dog: 0 •  Nests found by dog since

2005: 1 •  Number of times dog

tipped canoe: 2 •  Number of times dog

found skunk: 2 •  Number of times dog

urinated on technician’s lunch: 3

•  Dog not effective

Effectiveness of Canis lupus familiaris (Dog) in locating turtle nests

Education •  Community Awareness •  Landowner Education

and Support •  Multi-group

Involvement •  Evolving Education

Programs •  Media participation

Fact Sheets

Public Involvement

- Public reporting

- Volunteerism when and where appropriate

-Help inspire and support local champions

-Assist interested landowners with making informed decisions for their properties

-Support appropriate best management practices for agricultural lands

-Work with the City/Municipality in planning decisions

-Partner with a number of groups (ie McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London)

•  Incorporates landowners and land users into SAR recovery

•  Allows community involvement to sustain recovery work

•  Provides a strong link to community members

•  Generates interest in otherwise overlooked species

•  Assists the recovery team in achieving recovery objectives

Community Group and School Visits

•  Interactive native reptile presentations with high quality visuals and hands-on learning sessions

•  training and environmental

outreach, to build awareness and pride in Ontario’s unique natural heritage

Media Media Media!!

•  Television News

•  Radio •  Newspaper •  Magazines •  Newsletters

Results •  Since 1994 the program has reached

over 50,000 people directly through talks, displays and other initiatives.

•  Many more through local and national radio, television, Discovery Channel, magazines, newspapers, newsletters...

•  In 2007 alone, over 4000 students were reached through school visits. Reptile education programs were developed to fit the current curriculum needs

•  Landowners have offered the use of property for research, rehabilitation, and even donation

•  New sites and populations have been identified by community members

Sympathy

Some people do not care about science

Some people do not care to be educated about wildlife

Some people are far more visual…

Pretty Pictures Have Changed Public Perception

Cute Pictures Have Evoked Emotion and Attracted the Media

But…the Truth Has Inspired

Change

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly •  Passionate and dedicated staff, often

volunteering many additional hours each season

•  High level of community interest and support •  Constant struggle for funding. If you find

money, you have a job, if not, you volunteer until funding comes in

•  Loss of good employees due to lack of consistent funding…

•  … but, former staff and volunteers are now working throughout Canada and internationally with other environmental or wildlife programs

Finally… •  Learn to accept that your clothes, your car and

your dog will never look or smell the same again

•  Say goodbye to a social life (hint, marry your research assistant!)

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species At Risk, Provincial Stewardship Fund and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority help make this program successful through financial and in-kind support.