By Kaleigh Rogers, CBC News
Posted: Feb 12, 2013 7:16 AM ET
Last Updated: Feb 12, 2013 7:13 AM ET
It can be as simple as building a temporary barrier along a highway guardrail to help encourage turtles not to cross. Or it could be closing off a quiet section of road for a few weeks each spring so rare salamanders can make their way to their nesting grounds.
These small, inexpensive efforts could be the key to helping Hamilton become a leader in conserving species at risk, according to a member of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club.
Jen Baker, the land trust coordinator for the HNC, will be speaking about species at risk Wednesday night at the McMaster Innovation Park.
Joined by Cynthia Wright, former assitant deputy minister for Environment Canada, Baker will be sharing ideas and information about local species at risk and what we can be doing as a community to ensure these plants and animals stick around for generations to come.
'There are lots of things to do that don't stop growth. There's no excuse to not do better now that we know.'—Jen Baker, HNC
There are 723 species at risk in Canada and the list is growing. While Baker said she does not have an exact number for how many of those species are found in Hamilton, she did note the area is unique in its biodiversity.
"We have a very, very high level of biodiversity, especially in plants," she said.
"But we're also a very developed area and as we grow sometimes the species lose out."
That's something that's been a problem in the past, Baker said. Largely due to a lack of awareness, development has squeezed out and segregated habitat for many plants and animals.
Now that we know better, we need to take steps to do better, Baker said. And it doesn't mean stunting the city's growth.
"Nobody wants to stop growth, but we can make better planning decisions and also rectify some of the previous mistakes."
There have already been successful efforts in Hamilton and Burlington. Last spring, a temporary barrier was built alongside the guard rail near Spencer's Creek in Hamilton to prevent turtles from crossing the busy stretch of road to lay eggs, and instead encourage them to take the creek to reach their nests.
In Burlington last May, a stretch of King Road was closed off for three weeks to protect Jefferson salamanders and help them reach their nesting grounds safely. Only 100 or so Jefferson salamanders — or "Jeffys", as they're nicknamed — are still living in the forest nearby, and Burlington council approved the decision unanimously.
"A lot of time it's really, really easy things," Baker said.
During their talk Wednesday night, Wright will speak mainly about policy changes than can be made to protect Hamilton's rarer flora and fauna. Baker will be focusing on simpler, grass roots efforts. She'll give advice not only for developers building in the area, but also for homeowners who want to protect wildlife on their own property.
"There are things [the HNC] have done on our own properties with not a lot of capacity, and certainly not a lot of money, that have made a difference," she said.
Baker noted there are lots of options and opportunities now for builders to make better choices that help protect species, such as designing plans around existing habitats rather than bisecting them, or even just using permeable pavement that allows rainfall to reach the ground beneath it.
"There are lots of things to do that don't stop growth," she said. "There's no excuse to not do better now that we know."
Baker and Wright will be speaking at the McMaster Innovation Park, Room 1CD at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, located at 175 Longwood Rd. S, Hamilton. RSVP for the free event at www.speciesatrisk.eventbrite.ca.
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