This needs to take into…

This needs to take into consideration strong environmental protections and stewardship. This land is home to the endangered Piping Plover, who nest in the area. It's critical habitat for the species.

The vital role they play in our ecosystem:

Indicator species: Piping plovers are sensitive to environmental changes, especially in beach and dune habitats. Their presence signals a healthy, functioning shoreline ecosystem.

Umbrella species: Protecting their habitat benefits many other species, including endangered birds like the Red Knot, as well as native plants and insects that rely on dune systems.

Beach ecosystem engineer: By nesting in open sandy areas, they help maintain the natural structure of dunes and beaches, which are crucial for flood control, erosion prevention, and biodiversity.

Food web contributor: They feed on insects and small crustaceans, helping regulate populations of these invertebrates and supporting nutrient cycling along the shore.

What's at stake if they go extinct:

Loss of biodiversity: Their extinction would signal a collapse in the health of Ontario’s beach ecosystems, affecting many other species that depend on the same habitat.

Degraded shorelines: Without the protections triggered by their endangered status, beaches could be overdeveloped or mismanaged, leading to erosion and reduced natural flood defenses.

Cultural and ecological loss: These birds are part of Ontario’s natural heritage. Their disappearance would mark the loss of a species that once thrived along the Great Lakes and Lake of the Woods.

Missed conservation opportunities: The plover’s recovery efforts have galvanized community involvement and environmental stewardship. Losing them could dampen public engagement in protecting other species at risk.