Get Involved:

Red Headed Woodpecker. Photo Credit: Ted Krug

There are many wildlife monitoring programs, with various skill levels, available in which you can participate. All of these programs are based in Ontario and some can be done from your home or close to your home. These programs are a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and contribute information that aids the conservation of wildlife.

Some of the monitoring programs that you may consider:

Nature Canada
FrogWatch, PlantWatch, IceWatch, WormWatch, ButterflyWatch
www.naturecanada.ca/cwn_naturewatch.asp

Canadian Wildlife Service
Amphibians: Backyard Surveys and Road Call Counts, Marsh Monitoring Program, Forest Bird Monitoring Program, Ontario Shorebird Survey
www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/programs-e.html

Birds Ontario
Breeding Bird Atlas, Breeding Bird Survey, Ontario Birds at Risk, Ontario Nest Records Scheme, Red-shouldered Hawk & Spring Woodpecker Survey
www.birdsontario.org/atlas/atlasmain.html

Bird Studies Canada
Nocturnal Owl Survey, Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, Project Feeder Watch, Christmas Bird Count, Project NestWatch
www.bsc-eoc.org

Toronto Zoo
FrogWatch Ontario, Turtle Tally, Wetland Guardian Registry
www.torontozoo.com/AdoptAPond

In Your Backyard:

Leave space for wildlife. Try planting more native plant species. They need less care than grass and you’ll have extra time to enjoy the view and visiting wildlife.

Leave logs where they lie. On land, they provide shelter for salamanders, insects and some snakes.  In water, logs may create fish habitat or basking sites for turtles.

Leave dead trees standing if it is safe to do so. Dead trees provide valuable food for woodpeckers and homes for many animals.  If you need to pick up dead branches gather them in one area as a brush pile to provide shelter for small animals.

Avoid the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in your home and on your property, especially near water!

Don’t use old railway ties, telephone poles or pressure treated lumber in your landscaping.

On Your Waterfront

Keep your lot well treed and plant a buffer strip of native species along the shore.

Use only phosphate-free soaps, detergents and cleaners in your home.

Pump out your septic tank regularly.

Use a small floating dock.

If you own a motor boat, consider upgrading to an electric or fuel efficient 4-stroke motor and be sure to keep your wake low near shore and wetlands

In Your Neighbourhood

Attend or host a presentation to learn more about these species.

Watch out for wildlife on our roads and waterways.

Help stop the spread of invasive species. Learn what invasive species are a problem in our area, what they look like and monitor for their presence. Check outwww.invadingspecies.com for more information.

Support efforts that enhance or protect habitat.

Report your sightings of at risk species on our web site or to the Parry Sound Ministry of Natural Resources office at 7 Bay St. Parry Sound, P2A 1S4 Attention SAR Biologist 705-746-4201.