Latest news with #habitatConservation
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
'A bitter pill': Leamington council moves ahead with $640K chimney swift habitat, but questions priorities
Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Leamington is going ahead with building new housing, but it's not for people. On Tuesday night, council discussed a $640,000 plan to build habitat for chimney swifts, a threatened bird species that's been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the town's former high school on Talbot Street West. The building is scheduled to be demolished, but the chimney can't come down unless a replacement habitat is built first. It's the law, and council knows it, but that doesn't mean they're happy about it. 'You could build a pretty nice home. You could house some people who are facing housing precariousness with an expenditure like that,' said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. 'And here we are building a place for birds?' Leamington chimney Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The chimney swift is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation. The small, fast-flying bird migrates between Canada and South America each year and relies on older chimneys like the one at the old high school for nesting and roosting. According to Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the main threats to the species include habitat loss and declining insect populations, which make up their food supply. Insecticides may be playing a role in both. The birds have been listed as threatened in Ontario since 2009. That status means they're not endangered yet, but could be, if steps aren't taken to protect them. 'Chimney swift and its habitat are protected in order to support its conservation in Ontario,' ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a statement to CTV News. Leamington is planning to build three new habitat towers along a public walking trail near Oak Street, or could face a million dollar fine. One tower will match the 17-metre height of the school's existing chimney, and two smaller towers will offer additional nesting options. The site will also include benches, native plants, and signs explaining the project to the public. All of it must be built by the end of 2025 to meet the terms of a federal permit. 'When you're weighing in the importance of creating habitat for migratory birds or housing individuals who need a roof over their heads, in my estimation, the human housing is more important,' said Mayor MacDonald. She says the town recently requested $300,000 from a funding partner to hire more social workers to deal with homelessness and is frustrated by how quickly and strictly the chimney swift rules are being enforced in comparison. 'It just seems to be an unfair requirement at this point in time when we're dealing with a human crisis,' she said. 'We're not against the environment. We're not against taking care of endangered birds. It's just... this requirement seems quite heavy-handed.' 'We have to do it,' she added. 'We're plugging our noses… before we do it.' Local residents are also expressing frustration. 'That's a lot of money just to preserve the birds,' said Delvin Maxwell. 'Some of that money would do well with the homelessness here in Leamington.' 'It's a waste of money,' added Joe Testani. 'We're having problems in this town already, the homeless, the drugs, everything. And we're spending it on a bunch of birds?' 'That's crazy! To spend my money on that for birds? Come on,' he said. 'It's better to spend it on the homeless. At least help somebody out. Somebody or something. Anything.' Still, the project has to move forward. The town plans to monitor the new site for up to five years to see if chimney swifts start using the new towers. If they do within the first three years, the monitoring period can end early. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Jersey's unique lizards face habitat threat
An ecologist has said it is essential to maintain the habitat of Jersey's wall lizards in the north east of the island to prevent the species from dying lizards are native to the island and Jersey is the only part of the British Isles where they are ecologist Nina Cornish has warned some colonies, such as the one at St Aubin's fort, were at risk of dying out because they were unable to reach other groups to Tim Wright, head of Jersey's biodiversity team, said dwindling numbers at the fort may be "partly a result of inbreeding" but could also be due to rodents and increased vegetation. Dr Wright said: "We suspect that declining habitat suitability may be the key cause."Wall lizards are also found at Mont Orgueil, Rozel and Bouley Bay - where Dr Wright said the population remained Cornish - who has studied the origins of the lizards by looking at their DNA – found that the ones from St Aubin's Fort had a very separate genetic make up to others in the island. Mrs Cornish said it was important to keep a record of lizard numbers and maintain the natural habitats and pathways for them to reach those with a different the help of Oxford University, the ecologist has found that the lizards have been in Jersey since before the island was separated from France by the said: "There's lots of anecdotal evidence (from hundreds of years ago) where prisoners in the fortifications - the French prisoners - used to keep lizards as would have them in their pockets".There is a wide range of similar lizards in Europe across France, Italy and Northern Spain. The Jersey Biodiversity Centre regularly monitors the numbers and locations of the encourages islanders to look out for wall lizards and document their location, as part of it's Reptile Watch programme. It collects, manages and shares data on Jersey's wild species and is the island's main biological records Government of Jersey's biodiversity team said it was grateful to its team of Reptilewatch volunteers who gave up their time throughout the year to help monitor the reptiles.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Habitat loss and climate change make it tough to be an amphibian. Some humans are helping
HONEOYE, N.Y. (AP) — On a rainy March evening, John Bateman puts on his boots and a headlamp and heads to a wetland cut through by a busy road. As he walks, he scans the pavement for spring peepers, toads, salamanders and newts making their slow way as they migrate to new habitat each spring, and leans down occasionally to help guide one across. It's a small act that makes a big difference for these amphibians, who need different habitats for different stages of their life cycle — sometimes wetlands, sometimes drier uplands. Roads often separate these habitats, and migrating amphibians can get squished. They already face challenges from habitat lost to development. That's especially true for vernal pools, the small pools that show up each spring in forested ecosystems as snow melt and rainwater collect at low points on the ground. These pools hold water as late as July, and provide essential breeding habitat for amphibians like salamanders and frogs. Larger wetlands can enjoy federal protections, but not the vernal pools, which are too small and temporary. 'Unfortunately, with urban sprawl and development, a lot of the forests are being cleared for new housing developments as people move out of the cities and into the suburbs,' said Bateman, a professor of environmental conservation and horticulture at Finger Lakes Community College. 'When they clear these forest habitats, vernal pools are going to be buried and become new houses, condominiums, and neighborhoods.' ___ EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is a collaboration between Rochester Institute of Technology and The Associated Press. ___ The U.S. Geological Survey calls amphibian declines 'a global phenomenon' and one that's been underway in the U.S. since at least the 1960s. The agency said populations are dropping almost 4% each year in the U.S. Development isn't the only threat. Amphibians are being affected by Earth's changing climate. The Appalachian region is particularly rich in salamander species, and with temperatures rising, their range is shifting northward, Bateman said. That concerns him. 'At one point you hit the top and there is nowhere else to go,' Bateman said. A warming climate also requires cold-blooded amphibians to spend more time hunting to get the food they need to maintain their metabolism, said Karen Lips, a University of Maryland biology professor whose research found salamanders becoming smaller as a result. Bateman isn't the only conservationist working to help amphibians. Margot Fass owns A Frog House, a center for frog advocacy in Pittsford, New York. In April, she raised money and worked with 70 volunteers to build three vernal pools as part of Save the Frogs Day. The pools should help amphibians, but will also be a source of water for birds and other wildlife. Fass grows animated as she talks about chemical-free gardens and their importance to amphibians: 'One spray of pesticides can kill a frog within an hour. It's just horrible.' Both she and Bateman are strong believers in educating their communities to help amphibians. They often give talks in schools, libraries and to various groups. 'It's amazing how few people really know that frogs are endangered or that a third of them have gone extinct,' Fass said. The Genesee Land Trust, a not-for-profit conservation organization, is another active member in preserving and protecting land in the greater Rochester region. It owns Cornwall Preserve in Pultneyville, New York, on the edge of Lake Ontario. The trust bought the 77-acre property in 2016, becoming the first non-farmers to own the land in 200 years. They're preserving the historical farmland and in doing so have restored some wetlands and vernal pools. 'The wetland immediately served a population of birds after we first started digging,' said Elliotte Bowerman, the trust's director of communications. Catching amphibians may just be a nostalgic childhood memory for most, but for Bateman it never lost its magic. He believes preserving wetlands and vernal pools is critical not only for the amphibians and the environment, but for the next generation to experience the childlike wonder of discovering these hidden creatures. 'I think that the future generations are absolutely going to be at a loss to not have those experiences that I did as a child, to have that connection with nature,' he said. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Approval sought for city woodland path improvements
Councillors have been asked to approve planned improvements to a historic wood in Inverness. Culduthel Community Woods are on about two acres (6ha) of land once associated with a former stately home that dated back to the 1780s. The woods were brought into community ownership in 2022 and are now the focus of projects to improve its paths, tackle invasive plants and encourage growth of native species. Highland Council officials have recommended that planned work to the wood's entrance, paths and a pond be granted permission. Rejuvenating a historic community-owned woodland We bought woodland where we walk our dogs for £900k Councillors are expected to visit the woods before considering the proposals at next week's south planning applications committee. The woods provide habitat to red squirrels and birds. Tiny burrows in an area of earth bank have also been found to be home to bees. Future proposals include improving an adjoining area of grassland for the benefit of plants and insects, and potentially putting up bat boxes. Highland Council Culduthel Community Woods
