Book Review - The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, 2009 -2019 - Ontario Nature

 

     I recently received The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, 2009 - 2019, and have done little but pore through it since. It is an impressive document, and much needed.

     Atlases are critical in monitoring organisms in a particular area, and given the prevailing reality that so much flora and fauna is retreating in the face of habitat loss, pollution and other anthropogenic actions, they are more vital than ever before.

     Reptiles and amphibians are especially sensitive to even minor changes in their habitat and are seriously imperilled by increasing ambient temperatures. They provide a window into the wider world of human-induced threats right up to the real possibility of extinctions. 

      Congratulations are due to Ontario Nature for persevering with this work over such a long period and bringing it to fruition; not only congratulations but the deep appreciation of all who care about wild nature. We must all engage in the struggle to prevent its further decline at a very minimum, and hopefully to harness our collective energy to restore it.

     The species accounts are extremely well done with information on the conservation status, not only provincially, but federally and internationally. 

     Each species is accorded comprehensive treatment, including its appearance, biology, habitat, range and Atlas trends. Each account is enhanced by excellent pictures, and range maps depict the historical and present occurrence of species.

     This is very much the core of the work and it is extremely well done. Whether seasoned scientist or raw novice you will benefit from these pages, and they will perhaps spur you on to seek out unfamiliar species, and make ongoing contributions to our collective repository of knowledge. Online platforms such as iNaturalist are user-friendly and play a vital role in the acquisition and retention of knowledge about all species.

     It is an old cliché that knowledge is everything, but it is perhaps truer today than ever before. It forms the basis of future action in the never-ending quest to protect and nurture biodiversity. It's tough to know how to help species when you know nothing about them.

     There is no justification for complacency about any species, even those we view as common. All are under threat; loss of critical habitat due to draining wetlands, highway construction, housing and industrial development has the potential to transform a common or abundant species from numerous to scarce almost overnight. 

      A work of this scope and complexity would not be possible without the contribution of citizen scientists, and to everyone who has slogged through swamps swatting mosquitoes, who has given up an extra hour's sleep to take part in a survey, to those who have committed more time and energy than it is reasonable to expect, we owe an enormous vote of thanks.

     Long may your dedication live on. Some might say you are the unsung heroes, but let me assure you that you are not. Your praise is shouted loud and clear from the highest hill to the lowest valley, and even those who will never know you are forever in your debt.

     The impact of this Atlas is far-reaching and permanent. It sets the stage for future action by a committed populace and forms the bedrock for environmental remediation, stewardship and a respect for all organisms on this planet we share with our fellow creatures in this wonderful web of life.

     Thank you again Ontario Nature and the legion of scientists and volunteers who have brought this significant work to fruition. We all salute you!

The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas - 2009-2019 - Ontario Nature

Hardcover - 443 pages - ISBN: 978-1896059-37-2

Published May 2024

Ontario Nature Regional Meeting

1 November 2014

     As regular readers of this blog know I am a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists Club, which is in turn a member of Ontario Nature, an umbrella organization which provides support, guidance, education and counselling in many forms. In addition to our club being a constituent member, I have a personal membership in Ontario Nature, and this is the sticker which is attached to my car.

    

     Twice a year we have a regional meeting when clubs in our area get together to share ideas and challenges, so that we may all benefit from each other's experiences. Today was the fall meeting and the KWFN was the host club. It was held at the Laurel Creek Nature Centre, a facility used for outdoor education, especially for schools, and it was a perfect venue to host such an event. One is reminded at every turn, of nature, both inside and outside the building, and this is one of the interesting features in the room in which we met.

     The meeting was ably chaired by Lisa Richardson of Ontario Nature; as always she did a stellar job of updating us on what is going on and how it affects us.

     Our club was well represented at this meeting and this is our treasurer, Paul Bigelow, who is, without fear of contradiction, as fine a treasurer as any club has ever been blessed with. 

     Mary Ann Vanden Elzen has twice served as our club's president and currently acts as our official archivist. At our last meeting she delivered a fabulous presentation on the eighty years of our history.

     Here are images of just a few of the people who participated in today's meeting.

     Joan Daynard (at the left in the picture below)  is the Regional Director for Great Lakes West clubs and is just completing six years of service in that position.

     Numerous members of the KWFN provided squares, cookies and a variety of home made soups for lunch. Everything was delicious and everyone had lots to eat. We had our first dusting of snow of the season this morning, so hot soup was a fitting item on the menu.

     In the picture above Josh Shea, our Vice President is seated next to Mary Ann, and to the right of the picture is Kevin Thomason, Vice President of Ontario Nature, and a stalwart defender of the environment in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

     Nature Guelph was happy to demonstrate their button maker, a device which garners them great attention at various events, when people can quickly have buttons made with their own favourite images. Often, while children are having their buttons produced, an opportunity is provided to chat with their parents about nature and the environment, and so our message is disseminated to a wider audience.

     To the people who did not have their pictures taken on this occasion, I can only say - there's always next time!