Species At Risk

A “species at risk” is any naturally-occurring plant or animal in danger of extinction or of disappearing from the province. Once classified as “at risk”, they are added to the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List.

We are lucky to live in Niagara with lots of wild places and wild species – some 20,000 species of plants and animals. But this biodiversity – the variety of different habitats, and types of plants, animals, fish, and insects – are in trouble.  More than 65 of Niagara’s wild species are at risk. Species can become at risk due to a number of reasons.  These include habitat loss, pollution, changing land use activities, as well as the spread of invasive species.

The good news is that together, we can act to protect and recover many of these species and safeguard Ontario’s biodiversity.  Land Care Niagara has been working with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for the past several years on habitat recovery, research and educational outreach material for landowners and others who are concerned with our disappearing species.

Habitat creation and conservation for the Monarch Butterfly across the Niagara Region in collaboration with the agricultural sector to promote sustainable land management practices.

This three-year project beginning April of 2022, focuses on the creation of pollinator habitat in the Niagara Region on agricultural properties located in close proximity to the shorelines of Lake Erie & Lake Ontario. Project activities will be targeted for the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a regional identified priority species listed as Endangered under COSEWIC and benefit over 8 additional SAR in Ontario

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change

In 2021 Land Care Niagara started working on a project that will identify and confirm hibernacula using scientific methods for all Species At Risk bats in the Niagara region.  We will be performing habitat restoration activities that will create, enhance and reconnect core habitat for SAR bats and Gray Ratsnake. Information collected and innovative outreach techniques will address threats, increase awareness and aid in the understanding of SAR bats and Gray Ratsnake populations in Ontario. We are thankful to be working together with the support of many great partners including: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto Zoo, Niagara College, Niagara Parks, Heartland Forest, 8 Trees, Natural Resources Solutions Inc. and many species experts.  To keep up-to-date on this project and others follow us on social media.

For more information on Species at Risk visit the Species at Risk section of our online library to view and download current outreach material and visit the Ontario Species at Risk website.