HERP ATLAS
ATLAS OVERVIEW
ATLAS
MODEL FOREST The Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) has initiated an atlas project for the reptiles and amphibians of eastern Ontario. Throughout 2009 and 2010, we are asking landowners, citizens, and visitors to submit simple records of sightings (or calls) within the model forest. Atlas reporting forms are available through the EOMF website. The EOMF includes all of the following five counties: Leeds & Grenville; Lanark; Prescott & Russell; Ottawa; and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry.
& Eastern Ontario Model Forest
The Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s goal is to promote sustainable forest practices and principles and is based on a vision of healthy forest ecosystems and communities within the rural and urban landscapes of eastern Ontario. The EOMF encompasses approximately 1.5 million hectares from the Thousand Islands to Arnprior to the Québec border.
En français au verso
These ecological communities are composed of diverse vegetation and terrain that provide habitat for thousands of animal species, including a diverse assemblage of snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, and salamanders. Quick facts: 88% of EOMF lands are privately owned N 34% of the EOMF is forest N the EOMF is home to 35 species of N herpetofauna, including seven turtles, nine snakes, one toad, seven salamanders, nine frogs, and one lizard. the ranges of ten “at risk” reptile species N include some or all of the EOMF one of the region’s amphibian species is N currently classified as being “at risk”.
OF EASTERN ONTARIO REPTILES
AMPHIBIANS
FACTS
Assistance for this project was provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
While we know which species may be found here, we currently know very little about the abundance and distribution of the herpetofauna in eastern Ontario. Data in the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary atlas (OHS) database are largely based on records collected in the mid-1980’s and need to be updated. Additionally, many areas in eastern Ontario were not covered fully during the OHS project. This atlas project will, over a two-year period (2009-2010), address these information gaps. Such quantitative knowledge is essential if we wish to enhance or maintain the habitat(s) of these creatures and identify changes in the status or distribution of their populations over time.
The Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
SUPPORT Since most of the EOMF lands are privately owned, the voluntary participation of landowners is critical if we are to achieve accurate results. Volunteers will be able to submit sightings records via an online form, a downloadable spreadsheet, mail-in cards, and as photographic records. To encourage the submission of photo records, a photo contest will run throughout each field season (April-October) and award both monthly and annual prizes. All participants will have their contributions acknowledged in the final atlas. The EOMF will provide technical support and opportunities to learn about the atlas through group presentations, workshops, online information, and a series of publications. This is #1 in a series of five brochures: #1 - Atlas of Eastern Ontario Reptiles & Amphibians #2 - Checklist of Eastern Ontario Reptiles & Amphibians #3 - Species Keys for Eastern Ontario Reptiles & Amphibians #4 - Photo Contest on Eastern Ontario Reptiles & Amphibians #5 - Stewardship of Eastern Ontario Reptiles & Amphibians
For more information, please contact: Eastern Ontario Model Forest P.O. Bag 2111, 10 Campus Dr, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0 Tel: (613) 258-8241, Email: modelforest@eomf.on.ca. Visit us on the internet at www.eomf.on.ca.
SW-FM/COC-000232