I would highly recommend…

I would highly recommend that the Ministry reconsiders the temporary suspension of protections for the Black Ash under the ESA.

Ontario has approximately 25% of the range of Black Ash within its border. Its important to protect Black Ash stands all across the province, especially in Southern Ontario. While being considered 'useless or unproductive' lowland by some. These stands provide habitat for all kinds of species. They are part of the larger trends of biodiversity loss in Ontario and Canada. With the arrival of Emerald Ash Borer it will only be a matter of time before the stands start to decline.

It is also important to note that land clearing has increased dramatical in Eastern Ontario. Tile draining have made these stands are no longer off limits for land clearing or agriculture. Time is of the essence to get a recovery plan in place to help protect what residual individuals we have on the landscape. Some of these individuals may have tolerance to EAB. The more land that is cleared or stands destroyed because of inaction, the less genetic diversity and seed sources, we will have for the recovery effort in the future. Butternut is a great example for conservation and stewardship that has been excepted and successful on private lands. There is no reason why Black Ash should not receive the same protections going forward.

Please take action to conserve these important populations instead of relying on the actions of private woodlot owners to 'do the right thing' and 'protect if you want'.