In 2019, over 134 species at risk did not become road mortality statistics due to the efforts of Parks Canada within Bruce Peninsula National Park and surrounding area. Through the installation of eco-passages and the implementation of a turtle nest protection program, reptile and amphibian conservation is thriving on the Peninsula. The Municipality has been a key partner in this project, allowing Park staff and volunteers to place nesting boxes along their roads, and giving permission for eco-passages to be installed on Dorcas Bay Road.
At BPEG’s February meeting, Tricia Robins, Park Ecologist, shared some of the success stories of the Road to Recovery conservation project, based on her Master’s thesis. Tricia biked a 40 km route daily for 2 seasons and recorded all reptile and amphibian road mortality; she was especially interested in vulnerable species such as Massasauga rattlesnakes and turtles. A hotspot analysis identified the highest concentration of road kills.
Using her findings, the Park installed 2.2 km of fencing and built 8 eco-passages on Dorcas Bay, Emmett Lake and Cyprus Lake roads. These passages were specially designed for amphibians and reptiles with most featuring a grate to let light into the tunnels. Over 2000 “eco-passengers” have used the passages since 2018, which is indicative of their effectiveness. Park staff monitor the tunnels by trail camera and identify the species travelling through. This included over 1500 reptiles and amphibians, however other species benefit from these passages as well including families of virginia railwood duck and minks.
Future plans for the Road to Recovery project include repeating biking surveys to record road mortality and compare the results of previous studies to determine the mitigation effectiveness.
Another segment of this conservation effort was the Turtle Trackers volunteer program, in which 45 volunteers monitor and protect turtle nesting areas. In May/June the volunteers place protective boxes over active turtle nests, once the mother turtle has left the site. Park staff oversee the nests during July/August, the incubation period. The volunteers return in Sept/Oct during hatching season, and check each box 3 times a day to release baby turtles to the nearest wetland area. The program protected 108 nests in the 2019 season within the Park and surrounding area, including 16 on the Saugeen Reserve in partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation community.
In some cases, turtle eggs have to be moved due to construction or proximity to roads and driveways. The Park’s egg incubation program released 290 hatchlings back to their wetlands in 2019.
About the same number of nests of snapping turtles and painted turtles were protected by nest boxes, but a snapping turtle can lay up to 50 eggs, while the painted turtle lays about 10 eggs.
Laura Sagermann led the Visitor Engagement programs offering interpretative programming to over 3000 visitors and local community members per year, installing signage at eco-passages, and hosting special events such as the auction of resin turtle shells painted by local artists. There were workshops on the building of the nesting boxes, where participants also learned proper installation, turtle species, and nest identification.
Nesting boxes are available for loan to landowners outside the park.
Four eco-passages and fencing will be installed north of Cameron Lake when Hwy 6 is resurfaced. Parks Canada is collaborating with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to identify the most effective spots for installation.
Asked about re-purposing existing culverts as eco-passages, Tricia explained that some of the culverts might not be as welcoming due to size, wetness/dryness, lighting; additionally, fencing would also have to be installed to direct the animals towards the culvert.
In the coming years, the Park aims to share best management practices with other parks throughout Ontario and further expand the nest protection program to the Saugeen and Neyaashiinigmiing communities.
