Conservation
Scales Nature Park works to conserve wild reptiles and amphibians through a variety of initiatives. In part, this is achieved through ‘boots on the ground’ conservation work, often in collaboration with other organizations.
Check out some of our projects below!
The S.T.A.R.T. Project is a turtle conservation project in collaboration with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Laurentian University, and Trent University, along with regional grassroots groups across Ontario.
The project aims to reduce anthropogenic threats to the six turtle species (Spotted, Blanding’s, Map, Musk, Snapping, Painted) found within Muskoka, portions of Parry Sound and the Lake Simcoe watershed, and York Region through reduction of:
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road mortality
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habitat loss
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subsidized predation
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collection
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persecution
Within southern Muskoka, 80% of turtle nests are predated by animals, such as foxes, skunks and raccoons.
Where feasible, we use nest cages to protect eggs from such predators. Where caging is not feasible, field technicians carefully excavate turtle eggs for captive incubation.
The START Project incubates thousands of hatchlings per year, excavated by grassroots groups, technicians, and volunteers across the region.
Hatchlings are released at the nearest possible wetland to their original nest location.
Technicians and volunteers survey for turtles in wetlands and water bodies, as well as along roads.
Nesting surveys identify areas of high road activity and locate nests laid in precarious areas.
A long term goal of the project is to assess the broadscale health of the region’s turtle populations through mark-recapture studies. Uniquely marking individuals tells us if we catch the same individuals again. Over time, this allows us to estimate how many turtles are in the population.
Since 2013, the START Project has incubated over 130,000 eggs.
The Georgian Bay Conservation Action, Research and Education about Snakes (C.A.R.E.S.) Project is a snake conservation project focusing on endangered and threatened species in the Georgian Bay watershed, including the Massasauga Rattlesnake, Eastern Foxsnake, and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake.
Our goal is to conserve these species by mitigating threats, filling knowledge gaps, and engaging the community to help, specifically:
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delineating the eastern boundary of Massasauga distribution
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surveying previously occupied locations without recent observations (40+ years)
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identifying critical microhabitats such as hibernation and gestation sites
Reports of sightings from the public are extremely helpful - if you see any of these species in central Ontario, please call or text our project hotline at 705-955-4284.
Our snake technicians venture into habitats to search for snakes and record any observations. Some snakes are captured for additional data collection, including taking measurements and photographs and marking snakes so we know if we catch them again in the future. Blood samples may also be taken for DNA analysis.
We survey roads around the region to monitor road mortality and inform mitigation efforts such as snake exclusion fencing.
We also conduct outreach programming in order to educate people about the ecological role of snakes and to dispel harmful myths and fears about these essential creatures.
You can help!
If you come across a Massasauga Rattlesnake, Hog-nosed Snake, or Foxsnake, please call or text our reptile hotline at 705-955-4284! A picture of the snake would be very helpful. We record observations for these at-risk species and use them to inform future conservation activities for organizations across the region.
Unfortunately, snakes are often hurt or killed by humans who are mistakenly fearful of them. Educating others that snakes are not dangerous, and in fact need our help, is a great way to help conservation efforts surrounding Ontario's snake species.
Pelee Island Salamander Project
The Pelee Island Salamander Project is a research partnership with Trent University focused on determining the distribution and abundance of endangered Small-mouthed Salamanders across the island. We have recently been able to confirm this species still remains on the island, however, population estimates and distribution remains unknown.
Technicians survey for salamanders using traps and coverboards. When found, individual salamanders are marked using a technology called VIE, or Visible Implant Elastomer. This technique allows researchers to identify recaptured salamanders in future surveys to estimate population size and distribution.
Then, technicians take DNA samples from salamanders, which are analyzed at Trent University. This analysis allows researchers to differentiate between species of salamander and confirm the presence of endangered Small-Mouth Salamanders.
This work has already confirmed that Small-Mouth Salamanders and Blue-Spotted Salamanders are still present on Pelee Island, and has also identified new salamander breeding sites!
Read below about some of our past projects!
Other Projects & Activities
Western Chorus
Frog Project
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Assessing historic sites for current occupancy of Western Chorus Frogs
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Determined the east side of Lake Simcoe has healthy populations, but populations seem largely absent on the west side of the lake
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Assessing ways to reconnect habitat patches
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Participating in tissue sampling for regional genetic analysis with Queen's University