As a fish and wildlife…

As a fish and wildlife technician and Species At Risk advocate, I am formally stating that the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) at Wasaga Beach should continue to be protected with maximum efforts. Turning beaches 1 and 2 of Wasaga Beach provincial park into “New Wasaga” will not only destroy crucial habitat for Piping Plovers but will show the province does not care about the future or current standing of the environment at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Piping Plovers habitats such as the ones Wasaga Beach provides, natural winds create dunes and undisturbed areas grow Marram (long grass adapted to dune environments that stabilize the sand in creating dunes) protect Piping Plovers during their nesting season. Habitat loss is the NUMBER 1 cause of the declining population of Piping Plovers, which have been nesting here from the early 1930’s until their populations drastically declined in the 1980’s due to habitat loss and beach developments decimated the Piping Plovers population to a mere 11-14 breeding pairs left in existence. Because of the efforts by Canadian Wildlife Service, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Parks, Stewardship Grey Bruce, and Friends of Nancy Island, Within a span of 30 years, the number of pairs nesting across the Great Lakes region had gone from about a dozen to 76. This is strong evidence that our conservation efforts really are working. Plovers are returning to their historical breeding grounds, with continued efforts, it is more than possible to restore these bird’s populations to a sustainable one.

Without these habitats being protected, the Piping Plovers population is sure to decline instead of continuing to increase. With over a million people visiting Wasaga Beach yearly, these areas need to be protected now more than ever as it allows a chance for these birds to nest successfully and one day raise their status. These efforts will continue to bring together the Wasaga Beach Community as park visitors, volunteers, nature enthusiast and future generations grow to learn and protect these birds and their habitats through the hard work and dedication of park staff and Birds Canada. The community cares about the environment and so should the province, continue to allow these vital efforts to protect Piping Plovers.