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LIVING WITH WILDLIFE ON THE BRUCE PENINSULA
There are many things you can do to make your property conducive 1. Create or maintain natural habitat 2. Report your rattlesnake sightings 3. Be a concerned camper, cottager, or property owner 4. Learn more about the wildlife of the Bruce Peninsula 1. CREATE OR MAINTAIN NATURAL HABITAT Natural habitat, and native plant and animal species, may still be present in your area. Since habitat loss is one of the greatest threats facing the wildlife of the Bruce Peninsula, a part of your property could be set aside as a safe haven for many wild species. You can create cover by establishing brush piles, rocks, logs, long grass, and leaf litter. These habitat features will attract snakes, amphibian species, and even small mammals. Planting native species found on the Bruce Peninsula is a good start in recovering and maintaining a natural community on your property. Removing invasive exotic plants will also help by giving native species room to grow. Information on seeds, plant types, and naturally recovered areas is available through the Federation of Ontario Naturalists. Areas with long grasses, wood piles and refuse piles may also attract wildlife such as snakes, small mammals and amphibians. Exposed rock outcrops and clearings are beneficial to snakes for basking and other daily activities. Maintaining natural areas can improve the health of the surrounding habitat and wildlife. 2. REPORT YOUR SNAKE SIGHTINGS The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources operates Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). The Centre is dedicated to protecting Ontario’s biodiversity and is responsible for assembling and organizing information on species at risk. First hand reports of any species at risk can be made through the NHIC website at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/nhic.html or by mail:
Natural Heritage Information Centre
300 Water Street, 2nd Floor, North Tower Tel: (705) 755-2159 Fax: (705) 755-2168 It is important to report your sightings, since wildlife managers use this information to track the status and distribution of various species. |
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