Efforts to protect at-risk species on Pelee Island will continue thanks to a collaboration of nature partners.
Ontario Nature, formerly the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, announced on Thursday that it has renewed its commitment to monitor at-risk snakes on the island through at least 2026. This effort will cover conservation lands across Pelee Island, including Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve.
The project is supported by federal and provincial grants in partnership with Natural Resource Solutions Inc., the Nature Conservancy of Canada, 8Trees Inc., and Scales Nature Park.
"By helping make this conservation project on Pelee Island possible, we’re building on Ontario’s strong track record of environmental stewardship, preserving our province’s rich biodiversity for future generations," said Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks Andrea Khanjin.
Stone Road Alvar Nature Preserve is a 103-acre parcel of land providing habitat for 44 provincially rare and 33 regionally rare plant species. It is part of a complex managed jointly by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).
According to Ontario Nature, the collaboration will begin a series of conservation initiatives, including mechanical shrub removal, and a prescribed burn at Stone Road Alvar this summer. Once the habitat is restored, conservation lands will be monitored to determine the impact on at-risk species.
Pelee Island is home to the endangered Blue Racer snake, and the threatened Eastern Foxsnake.