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Long-term Monitoring Protocol for Ontario’s Snakes – Hands-On Training at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, Midland
May 11 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join Ontario Nature at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre to learn more about our Long-term Monitoring Protocol (LTMP) for Ontario’s snakes. Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre protects 3,000 acres of land in the Heart of Georgian Bay, which supports an abundance of wildlife, including several snake species. Since 2024, Wye Marsh staff have been monitoring snakes following the LTMP to help improve our understanding of snake populations.
At this event, you will learn about snake ecology, threats, and habitat stewardship from Ontario Nature staff. You will participate in a demonstration of the LTMP using existing cover boards and gain hands-on training on identifying suitable snake habitat, setting up a LTMP monitoring transect, and properly handling, identifying, sexing and aging Ontario’s snakes.
This training event is generously supported by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, the Hodgson Family Foundation, and the Huronia Community Foundation.
Agenda:
9:45 – 10:05 a.m. Registration
10:05 – 10:15 a.m. Welcome and introduction
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. LTMP overview, snake ecology, threats and habitat stewardship
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Snake identification activity, aging and sexing snakes, snake handling
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Setting up a transect, cover board survey methods demonstration, snake handling
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Conclusion, questions and evaluation forms
Maximum number of attendees: 30
Meeting location: The meeting location will be at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Please park in the parking lot and make your way into the Wildlife Centre.
Directions using Google Maps. The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is located just outside of Midland, approximately 45 minutes from Barrie.
To Bring: We will be running the event in areas with ticks. Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes. Rubber boots are recommended, if possible. Please also bring a re-fillable water bottle and snacks.
Weather: This event will run rain or shine. A portion of the event will occur indoors. If there is severe weather, the entire event will occur indoors.
Registration link: https://buytickets.at/ontarionature/1653442
To submit your public events for consideration, email Noah Cole at noahc@ontarionature.org. Please send well in advance and allow up to two weeks for posting. Events must be submitted by a member group or run jointly with Ontario Nature.