Plan Goals: 1. Facilitate a culture shift toward coexistence with massasaugas (and other snakes) and sustainable land use planning in all parts of the species' range.

2. Achieve viable populations in tallgrass prairie-oak savanna communities at Ojibway and peatland-marsh-swamp forest communities at Wainfleet.

3. Retain the broadest possible distribution and highest degree of connectivity among local populations throughout the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay regions in perpetuity (i.e., minimize net loss).

4. Collaborate with US colleagues to retain the broadest possible distribution and highest degree of connectivity among local populations in all regions of the species' range (i.e., minimize net loss).

Long-Term Objectives:

1. Prepare and implement a coordinated communications and outreach strategy by 2004.

2. Revamp the SIN website to serve communications and aid coordination of team activities by 2004.

3. Develop and implement a coordinated monitoring program across all population regions to establish baseline knowledge and track attributes associated with viability (i.e., threats, habitat, population size, population/habitat distribution & connectivity) and the efficacy of management practices by 2005.

4. Plan and host the Third International Eastern Massasauga Symposium - Brock University, St. Catherines in spring 2005.

5. Model viability of the Ojibway and Wainfleet populations and develop comprehensive management plans for both by 2006.

6. Identify ("critical" & "significant portions of") habitat required to meet recovery goals for the Ojibway and Wainfleet populations by 2005 and the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay populations by 2007.

7. Prioritize and protect land where necessary for viability of Ojibway and Wainfleet populations - on-going.

8. Improve knowledge of species conservation ecology and associated management practices to improve efficacy of recovery actions - on-going.

Summary of Research/Monitoring Activities:

- late 1970s: started monitoring program in Georgian Bay Islands National Park.
- 1983 and 1984: conducted radio telemetry study in Georgian Bay Islands National Park.
- 1990: conducted a habitat use study at Bruce Peninsula National Park.
- 1991 - 1999: continued collaborative conservation genetics study.
- 1992: held an International Massasauga Conservation Symposium at Metro Toronto Zoo; conducted a translocation study.
- 1993, 1998, and 1999: conducted a survey at Wainfleet Bog.
- 1995 - 1998: conducted a study on the effects of human disturbance on massasaugas at Killbear Provincial Park.
- 1996 - 1999: conducted a long-term monitoring program at Bruce Peninsula National Park, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, and Killbear Provincial Park.
- 1997: conducted a study of thermal ecology and micro-habitat selection by female massasaugas at Killbear Provincial Park; developed an interpretive display at Ojibway.
- 1998 - 1999: conducted a population survey at Ojibway; continued demographic research at Killbear Provincial Park (i.e., age structure, gender); conducted a detailed analysis of population genetic structure.
- 1999 to 2002: continued the study of the landscape ecology of the massasauga; conducted surveys regarding re-routing of Hwy 69.
- 2000 - 2002: conducted radio- telemetry and habitat utilization assessment at Ojibway and Wainfleet.
-2001-2003 Initiated a thermal ecology study at Bruce Peninsula National Park
-2002 - 2003- Initiated a population viability study for the EMR focussed at Georgian Bay Islands National Park and Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Summary of Recovery Activities:

- 1993: consulted with the Ontario Ministries of Transportation and Natural Resources regarding the expansion of Highway 69; Toronto Zoo produced "Wanted Alive" and "Save Ontario Snakes" posters and classroom kits to increase public awareness.
-1997: secured most of Wainfleet Bog through acquisition by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada; developed a management plan for Wainfleet Bog; put known rattlesnake sites under protection in the Spring Garden Area in the City of Windsor land reclassification.
-1998: recovery team formally commented on the new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act being proposed by the Ontario Government; launched a Sistrurus Information Network ; launched the Toronto Zoo "Living with Wildlife" video; held a "Rattlesnake Anti-venom and Snakebite Therapy Workshop" at Resort Tapatoo; held a "Managing Human-Rattlesnake Interactions" conference at Killbear Provincial Park; held the second International Symposium on the Conservation and Management of Massasaugas at the Toronto Zoo.
-1998 -2002: consulted with Ecoplans on a Bruce West Lands development proposal.
-1999: consulted with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and the City of LaSalle regarding Normandy Road upgrade; continued development of Resource Manager Handbook; initiated development of landuse guidelines and survey protocols; massasauga formally identified as candidate for listing in the US; conducted volunteer surveys and workshops at Wainfleet; Toronto Zoo published the proceedings of the second International Symposium on the Conservation and Management of Massasaugas.
- 2000: completed a landowner agreement, landowner stewardship guide, species identification keys and posters, curriculum guide, stewardship stickers, and "Born to Be Wild" poster; conducted multiple workshops reaching 2000+ school students and contacting approximately 150 landowners; restored 28.5 hectares and enhanced 237 hectares of habitat in Wainfleet and Ojibway.
- Ongoing: Toronto Zoo, Parks Canada, Killbear Provincial Park, Ojibway Prairie Nature Centre, and Science North are conducting public awareness campaigns.
2002 - completed a contingency plan for snakes known to occupy land slated for development in the Windsor population.
2002 - hosted a workshop of veterinary specialists to discuss advances in invasive procedures technologies. Completed a report and protocols for all snakes for invasive procedures.
2002 - Established artificial hibernacula and culvert road designs on the Highway 69 project that are being monitored for effectiveness.
2002 Began working closely with the West Parry Sound Health Centre around rattlesnake health and safety issues.

Summary of Progress to Date:

Description of the population genetics of the species has helped define the spatial distribution and demographic composition of eastern massasauga rattlesnake populations. Species probability models have been developed to predict habitat suitability and population distribution in the greater Georgia Bay ecosystem. The recovery team remains functional and optimistic about prospects for species persistence in Ontario.

Objectives for 2002 - 2003 were:

- continue ecological research and population monitoring of Ojibway and Wainfleet;
-Cooperate with the Reptile Awareness program to deliver consistent messages at the Georgian Bay population regions.
- Begin working on LEEMA using high resolution satellite imagery.
- Continue thermal ecology and relocation study on Bruce Peninsula;
- evaluate long-term viability of Ojibway population and reconsider recovery options;
- continue study to assess and decrease effects of highway 69 construction on massasauga;
- Apply and monitor roadway mitigations for EMR and other snakes at risk, culverts, artificial habitat
- Initiate a population viability analysis with Brock University
- Complete EMR Guidelines for the determination of significant portions of the habitat as it relates to provincial policy statements.

Recovery Team: Darlene Upton (Chair)
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Box 28
Honey Harbour, ON
P0E 1E0
tel: (705) 756-2415 ext. 757
e-mail: darlene_upton@pch.gc.ca

- R. Black, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
- F. Burrows, Parks Canada
- K. Cedar, Ojibway Nature Centre
- K. Frohlich, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
- R. Gray, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
- A. Lentini, Toronto Zoo
- P. Pratt, Ojibway Nature Centre
- K. Prior, Canadian Wildlife Service
- A. Yagi, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources