The Piping Plover is a tiny…

The Piping Plover is a tiny shorebird disguised as sand which, in birding terminology, is a habitat specialist (not a generalist), who requires very specific habitat to thrive. Suitable habitat is the primary requirement for a species to flourish and avoid decline. A species without suitable habitat is the same as a homeless person. There is much concern for the proposed Amendments to the Provincial Parks and "Conservation Reserves Act, (2006)," and Changes to the "Historical Parks Act." Since 2007, when the first Piping Plovers reappeared after a 30 year absence along Ontario's Great Lakes, Wasaga Beach has produced half of the Province's Piping Plover fledglings. Continuing conservation and habitat protection must not be interrupted by a land transfer which has all the earmarks of the exact cause of why this bird is Threatened and Endangered in all of the United States and Canada. Historically, unchecked economic growth and land development has destroyed the critical habitat the Piping Plover needs to, not just survive, but to become a fully recovered population again. It is highly doubtful that the Town of Wasaga Beach alone can implement the intensive conservation management of this species as Ontario Parks-with help from Birds Canada- has shown. Specific habitat protection and detailed, science-based management must entail this proposed land transfer--with emphasis on natural beach processes prohibiting any dune restoration and mechanical raking which inevitably lessen suitable habitat. Intensive nest monitoring with restricted, fenced buffer zones are vital, as well as public outreach and education programs to illuminate the public of this highly, hypersensitive shorebird to human activities and disturbance. Predator mitigation strategies and technology (field cameras; nesting data; nest exclosures) also is of high priority since much loss of chicks is due to a host of differing predators. Tourism at Wasaga Beach has proven conducive to Piping Plover population increase, with monies funneled into all of the aforementioned conservation factors. The more Piping Plovers on the beach to view (from a respectable distance), the more people will become attracted to seeing this bird's unique behavior and learning its life history. They will learn to "Share the Shore" and why certain portions of a beach may be closed during critical nesting periods. In conclusion, without the conservation variables and management commitments that must be incorporated into this proposed land transfer, the Piping Plover will not return to Wasaga Beach to raise a family. And the people of Ontario, with more money and the economy of land development that may ensue, will be poorer. Please be mindful: There are over 8 billion people on earth; but less than 8,000 Piping Plovers globally. EXTINCTION IS FOREVER. Thank you for allowing me to comment.