Species at Risk Mitigation

ONS can help plan and design projects that benefit and contribute to the recovery of species at risk in Ontario. Contact us for help with:

  • Assistance with fundraising and funding applications
  • Creation and distribution of outreach education and communication materials
  • Site and project plans
  • Permit acquisition
  • Connecting and establishing partnerships with local, provincial and/or federal organizations to assist in your project

Ontario NativeScape has extensive experience working with multiple agencies implementing many species at risk projects that include:

  • Tallgrass Prairie Initiative: Over the past 20 years, we have restored and/or enhanced 1400 hectares of tallgrass prairie within Ontario. With a 200 hectare seed production area, ONS offers a certified, viable seed source to complete our restoration projects to benefit many tallgrass prairie dependent species like the eastern foxsnake, American badger and Northern bobwhite.
  • Roadsides for Pollinators program: Aims to implement effective roadside management practices that help create and protect Monarch habitat
  • Grassland Bird Initiative: Working to create and protect large tracts of grassland for grassland dependent bird species like bobolink and Eastern meadowlark
  • Creating large tracts of tallgrass prairie within Bronte Creek Provincial Park towards the recovery of Henslow’s sparrow

 

Carolinian Canada represents only a tiny part of the country – less than 0.25% of Canada’s total land mass. However, there is a lot of pressure on this small piece of national real estate.  Think about it – 25% of Canada’s population lives within this zone. As a result, much of the native habitat has been cleared to accommodate housing, industry, agriculture and infrastructure creation. Unfortunately, the native habitat that does still exist remains disconnected and is often too small to support healthy ecosystems.

Carolinian Canada is a provincial and national hotspot for species at risk (SAR). There are over 160 SAR in the area equating to 77% of Ontario’s total SAR and 25% of the country’s total SAR are found here, in Carolinian Canada.  Thirty species have already become extirpated or extinct within the region and many other species and habitats are at risk if actions are not implemented immediately.