Species at Risk

Species at Risk in SWCR

A “species at risk” is any naturally-occurring plant or animal that is in danger of extinction or of disappearing from the province. Once classified as “at risk” in Ontario, they are added to the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List. The SARO list complements the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), which is based on the recommendations of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). COSEWIC is a committee of experts that assesses and designates which wildlife species are at risk of disappearing from Canada. In most cases, the Provincial and Federal SAR lists are similar but there are some differences in status designations.

The diverse forests, savannas, sand barrens, wetlands, ravines, and streams at the St. Williams Conservation Reserve support important populations of more than 20 species at risk.

Pictures of many of these species are provided below. By clicking on the Common Name you can learn more about each species, with regards to their range, biology and threats.

Plants ~ Insects ~ Birds ~ Mammals

Plants


American Chestnut
Castanea dentata
Photo by Mary Gartshore


Spotted Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata
Photo by David White


Eastern Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Photo by Bernt Solymár


Butternut
Juglans cinerea


Virginia Goat’s-rue
Tephrosia virginiana


Bird’s-foot Violet
Viola pedata
Photo by Mary Gartshore

Insects


Monarch
Danaus plexippus
Photo by Bernt Solymár


Frosted Elfin
Callophrys irus
Photo by Mary Gartshore

Karner Blue
Lycaeides melissa samuelis
Photo by Mary Gartshore

Birds


Whip-poor-will
Caprimulgus vociferus


Cerulean Warbler
Dendroica cerulea


Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Photo by George Pond


Louisiana Waterthrush
Seiurus motacilla


Eastern Wood-Pewee
Contopus virens
Photo by John Reaume

Mammals


Woodland Vole
Microtis pinetorum

American Badger
Taxidea taxus
Photo by Ron Ridout

Report any sightings of Species at Risk in SWCR!

Use this sightings report form to report your observations of Species at Risk or other rare species in the St. Williams Conservation Reserve. The information you provide will be sent to the St. Williams Conservation Reserve (SWCR) Community Council and be shared with the Ministry of Natural Resources but otherwise remain confidential. Reptile-at-risk sightings will also be shared with the Long Point Basin Land Trust’s Conserving Carolinian Reptiles program.

Please use discretion about telling others about the locations of any species that are vulnerable to disturbance. For example, do not give exact locations for at-risk reptiles or nesting sites of rare birds.

Thank you for helping us better protect Species at Risk in the SWCR!