I support the call by Birds…

I support the call by Birds Canada to protect the habitat of Piping Plovers at Wasaga Beach. As a member of the Hamilton Naturalists Club, I know that members have been involved over many years in the efforts to save the Piping Plover. Transfer of the habitat without guarantees of habitat protection by the town risks losing all of the efforts that have been made to date. It is unconscionable that neither the provincial nor federal government has legislation to protect the habitat of bird species such as these endangererd birds. A study by Cornell University and partners concluded that over 3 billion or 1 in 4 birds have been lost in North America since 1970, and the key factor is loss of habitat.

Therefore I support the call by Birds Canada as follows:

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.