Roads are tied only with habitat loss as the leading cause of population decline for our cold-blooded friends, and they need your help. We would like to invite you to learn how you can best protect the reptiles and amphibians at risk in your area – by becoming a citizen scientist!
We will be leading a two-part Wildlife on Roads training workshop in the coming weeks, starting with a free Zoom seminar (May 15, at 7 pm) to teach you the ins and outs of road ecology, how to help vulnerable wildlife navigate the roads safely, and how to directly contribute to this growing field of study by sharing your observations.
For the second part of our workshop, we will host in-person training along roads that bisect important wetland habitat (Amos Ponds) in Rouge National Urban Park. It is the largest urban park in North America, and has been a focus area for reptile and amphibian road ecology projects since 2011, and for conservation groups like the Toronto Zoo’s Adopt-A-Pond, and the Ontario Road Ecology Group (OREG).
Road upgrades by the City of Pickering on Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road (along the south end of the park) is scheduled for May 2025, and the city has graciously offered to install several new wildlife underpasses at the same time. The wildlife exclusion fencing currently installed can then be repaired and extended to funnel animals towards these new underpasses. Join us in this partnership with the city, Adopt-A-Pond, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, and Parks Canada and check out our new “Slow down for wildlife” signs in the area.
To Attend Part One of our Workshop (Zoom Seminar):
Please go to this zoom link on May 15th at 7 pm, or click here for a free ticket and have the meeting link sent directly to your email prior to the seminar. All are welcome!
To Attend Part Two of our Workshop (Field Day):
Click here to fill out an availability form for the week of May 27th – May 31st. The date will be selected based on responses, as space may be limited. Please fill out this form well in advance. Note you are not required to attend the seminar in order to attend the field day!
Thank you!
