Sharon Callan asked that the following excerpt from the “Branching Out” newsletter be posted to the Blog.
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Branching Out is a quarterly newsletter produced by The Habitat Stewardship Group of Grand Bend, an organization committed to providing information about species-at-risk , their habitat and the role our properties play in species survival.
We live in one of the few “wild” spaces left in southern Ontario. As we enjoy our beautiful surroundings, it is important to remember that we share this space with plants and animals that are struggling to survive. The main reason so many plants and animals are becoming “at risk” is due to habitat loss. Habitat is the space the plants and animals need to eat, reproduce and hide from predators. We are lucky because our neighbourhood provides habitat nonexistant in other parts of Ontario.
Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources sent landowners in Huron Woods and surrounding communities a letter declaring the Common Five-lined Skink to be a species-at- risk and posted draft legislation on the Environmental Registry for public comment. The Ministry, working under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, is proposing that the natural habitat in our area be protected and, where altered, renaturalized so that the skink may survive. While this proposal encourages landowners to preserve natural habitat, The Ministry of Natural Resources does not forbid human activity, but rather encourages landowners to consult with the Ministry before undertaking projects that have the potential to cause harm to the skink’s environment.. Call 519-773-9241 for guidance.
To view the entire contents of this first edition of “Branching Out” or to view the entire text of the recent letter to landowners from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, visit our website at www.habitatstewardshipgroup.ca. Each newsletter will feature one species-at-risk in our area or important information about habitat preservation or restoration. This first newsletter is dedicated to The Common Five-line Skink, the only lizard in Ontario, and a beautiful one at that.
