With the recent major…

With the recent major changes to diminish the power and reach of the Endangered Species Act, Ontario is continuing to remove protections for critical habitat at a time when they have never been more important. If development takes place in the proposed sections of beaches, Ontario will likely lose an iconic species that has occupied the area long before people began to irreparably damage the landscape. These areas should remain protected for future generations to observe and enjoy.

Assuming the Ontario Government once again ignores the thousands of comments pouring in that object to these changes, they must ensure that Piping Plovers are conserved and protected by a science-based management plan. They must 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. They must commit to funding to protect, conserve, and steward Piping Plovers, their nests, and their habitats. They must engage experts like Birds Canada at development and implementation phases to find the best compromises for birds and people.