Gray Ratsnake Recovery
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Haldimand Stewardship Council has been long involved in recovery efforts to support rare fauna. With the help of the Species At Risk Stewardship Fund and Ontario Power Generation, our Gray Ratsnake (GRS) Recovery Project was completed in March, 2020.
The project was completed over 3 years and included actions to help support the protection, recovery, and education of the Carolinian Gray Ratsnake Oriskany sub-population and other at-risk snakes in Ontario. Coordinated monitoring, threat mitigation, habitat creation and delivery of stewardship communications were implemented to assist with understanding knowledge gaps and preventing further population decline.
Habitat restoration and direct threat mitigation activities included afforestation, wetland restoration, nest box installations and hibernaculum construction pilot tests to further the potential for future head-starting as a species recovery strategy. Expert consultation for the project was provided by our partner 8Trees Inc.