Pelee Island Conservation and Research

Ontario Nature’s Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve, located on Pelee island, protects globally rare habitat, including open alvar. To restore open alvar habitat and prevent further encroachment of woody vegetation, we conducted a prescribed burn project beginning in 2018 with researchers and partner organizations. Over the past four years, researchers have monitored various species at risk on lands owned by Ontario Nature, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Essex Region Conservation Authority to determine the effects of the prescribed burn on species at risk.

Presenters from Ontario Nature, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, University of Toronto Scarborough, Natural Resources Solutions Inc., and University of Rennes 1, France will share findings from their conservation projects and research across the island to improve and create habitat for species at risk snakes, snails and bees. A feature presentation from Ryan Wolfe, a Field Biologist at Natural Resources Solutions Inc. who completed his Masters degree research on Blue Racers on Pelee, will focus on an updated population estimate for this snake species.

Following the event, join Marcus Maddalena, Ontario Nature’s Nature Reserves Manager, as he leads a hike on our Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve highlighting the ongoing restoration of open alvar habitat.

• Presentation 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Hike 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Walk ins welcome. No registration required.

Speakers:

• Marcus Maddalena (ON)
• Jill Crosthwaite (Nature Conservancy of Canada)
• Ryan Wolfe (Field Biologist, Nature Resources Solutions Inc,RSI)
• Janean Sharkey (PhD Candidate, University of Toronto-Scarborough)
• Annegret Nicolai (Researcher, University of Rennes 1, France)

Contact for more information: reserves@ontarionature.org