As a person who lives in the…

As a person who lives in the Bay of Quinte, another tourism-heavy region of the province, I know the importance of tourism for fueling local economic development for small businesses and their livelihoods. However, I also know that only focusing on the trees and ignoring the forest is a recipe for disaster. Wasaga Beach is for more than just humans, and in order to make it survive for humans long term, conservation of its species and natural features is critically important. One species in particular that has been recovering thanks to the diligent work of activists, conservation scientists, and dedicated volunteers, is the piping plover, that nests on Wasaga Beach. Their critical nesting habitat, which is already seeing reductions to its protection from the passing of Bill 5, is part of the land being slated to be sold off to the municipality. If this is to follow through, the Ontario government MUST ensure that protections remain in place to ensure this endangered and wonderful bird species, that is actually doing better than it has in 50 years thanks to work at Wasaga Beach, is able to continue to recover.

There needs to be specific contingencies in whatever land transfer plan is written, that the plover habitat at the very minimum is protected by law in order to preserve what little space is left for this charismatic shorebird. If you need to understand why to care about this little bird, I implore you to walk the beach with volunteers when the babies have hatched, help to herd their tiny poofball bodies into the careful nets of scientists, and watch as they apply ankle bands in order to continue the important work of monitoring this species as part of the conservation work.

Don't repeat the mistakes of the past by destroying more habitat. This species and so many others that make the experience of Wasaga Beach more than just a chance to swim and catch some rays. Valuing the lands and nature that are deeply tied to our provincial identity as Ontarians, and our national identity as Canadians, creates a deeper, better experience that can be an example for other municipalities and provincial governments, that shows we can think beyond short term profits and buzzwords.

The Ontario Government must ensure that Piping Plovers are conserved and protected by a science-based management plan and resources that:

1) Reduces threats to Piping Plover and their habitat year-round by restricting mechanical raking so that the habitat is not destroyed, prohibiting dune alteration, and protecting nests with fenced buffer zones and natural predator mitigations.

2) Commits funding to protect, conserve, and steward Piping Plovers, their nests, and their habitats.

3) Engages experts like Birds Canada at development and implementation phases.

We can have places for people and for animals too - a biologically healthy beach is better for tourism and public health, not to mention the wellbeing of those who live there year-round.