In reviewing the Government…

In reviewing the Government Response Statement, we have identified specific sections that relate to work that we undertake in the City of Windsor. Specifically, through our past, present and future activities, the City of Windsor supports the following Focus Areas and Actions:

Focus Area: Habitat Management and Protection
Objective: Protect and improve the quality of existing habitat and increase habitat connectivity (Carolinian population)
Actions: 1. (High) (Carolinian population) Work collaboratively with local landowners, land managers, organizations and municipalities to develop and implement habitat management and restoration techniques and monitor their effectiveness, specifically:
• Developing coordinated management plans for both subpopulations to increase habitat connectivity and habitat suitability.
• Maintaining open habitat using methods such as mechanical removal of woody vegetation and prescribed burns, as appropriate.
2. (High) (Carolinian population) As opportunities arise, work with local land owners and community partners to support the securement of Massasauga habitat through existing land securement and stewardship programs, including land that would support greater habitat connectivity.

Focus Area: Threat Management and Stewardship
Objective: Reduce threats to Massasauga by implementing threat mitigation techniques and promoting stewardship of the species and its habitat.
Actions: 9. (High) Develop, implement and evaluate best management practices to reduce the impacts of existing (e.g., road mortality) and emerging (e.g., disease, climate change) threats to the species. This may include:
o implementing techniques to mitigate the threat of road mortality and reduce habitat fragmentation such as:
• installing ecopassages, fencing, and wildlife crossing signs in areas with high mortality; • promoting alternatives (e.g., materials, design, location) to traditional roadway construction through Massasauga habitat; and, • increasing awareness of drivers about Massasauga presence on roadways, the biological importance of the species, and appropriate steps to take if encountered in a vehicle.
Actions: 11. Work collaboratively with land owners, land managers, organizations and municipalities in key areas to reduce human-snake conflict, reduce snake persecution and alleviate public safety concerns. This may include: o developing materials and promoting public awareness of Massasauga, the biological importance of the species, and safety and first aid measures; o developing local strategies to minimize human-snake conflict, such as short-distance rattlesnake re-location programs or the installation of snake-proof fencing in key areas (Carolinian population); and, o installing permanent signage at park trailheads.

Focus Area: Population Management
Objective: (Carolinian population) Increase the likelihood of both subpopulations persisting by investigating, implementing and evaluating population management activities, as appropriate.
Actions: 12 (High) (Carolinian population) Using research and feasibility assessments already conducted, implement population management actions for the Ojibway subpopulation at the Ojibway Prairie Complex, such as captive-breeding and release, if deemed effective and appropriate. Evaluate the effectiveness of population management activities and conduct research to inform refinement of the husbandry and release techniques used in captive-breeding and release activities.