CANCELLED -With Apologies

I am sad to say that we have just learned that we need to cancel the previously scheduled event called Walk the Niska Valleylands on Sunday June 21, 11am.

Due to social distance requirements, we had organized a back-up plan that was to be based on a new land management plan we were expecting to be released by the Grand River Conservation Area. But we have not yet seen these plans, and instead will put a call out to activate our networks when a call to action is required on this.

And the wonderful Laura Murr who is the host of this event is completely unavailable to re-organize another presentation. And she needs your help. She and others are busy helping turtles out these weeks - and they are working around the clock.

Laura ask asked me to put word out to see if anyone might be interested in helping her make sure turtles stay safe. The snappers are coming up to nest and often this means they find themselves on roadsides in precarious situations. Sometimes the turtles need help getting across these roads to safer environs, and sometimes the nests of eggs they have laid on the sides of roads need caging to ensure they don't get predated, until such time as they can be collected up to incubate in a safer place.

The snapping turtle is currently listed as Special Concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act. The species has also been designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. These acts offer protection to individuals and their habitat. The habitat of this species is further protected in Ontario by the Provincial Policy Statement under the Planning Act - and some of these policies are under threat at this moment by the current provincial government.

If you are able to help, please email [email protected] and I will share Laura's phone number with you.

Warmly,

Arlene

Due to Covid19 gathering restrictions, this event has been restructured to an online format

If Social Distancing is still required....

Back-up Plan: 1hr

RSVP to get the link to join the event. If you can not make the live event, you will be sent a recording afterwards

Word has it, a new Management Plan has been proposed for the Niska Valleylands. Join us for an online update of the these plans and how you can have your voice heard. RSVP to receive an zoom link for this event.