Species at Risk
The Species at Risk project is a conservation initiative (integrated with our invasive Phragmites Management program) focused on mapping, managing, and monitoring invasive wetland plant species and restoring habitat for Blanding’s turtles in and around Matchedash Bay.
Key Project Activities
Leveraging Technology
The use of multispectral drone technology and GIS technologies to identify and remove invasive Phragmites and frogbit, and tracking technologies to follow turtles
Fortifying Habitat
Monitoring and improving nesting and basking sites for Blanding's turtles
Community Engagemet
Delivering community outreach, education, and evaluation activities to strengthen local stewardship
Background
Dive Deeper into this Project
Matchedash Bay is a Ramsar-designated wetland of international significance and a Class 1 Provincially Significant Wetland. It provides essential habitat for hundreds of species, alongside dozens of species at risk, including the Blanding’s turtle.
This ecosystem is increasingly threatened by the rapid spread of invasive Phragmites and European frog-bit, which are degrading wetland function, reducing biodiversity, and fragmenting critical habitats needed for breeding, nesting, movement, and migration. At least 102 invasive Phragmites stands have been documented in the area, many directly encroaching on turtle and amphibian habitat.
The persistence of these invasive species, coupled with limited public awareness and inconsistent local management practices, threatens the long-term ecological integrity of Matchedash Bay. Targeted management and community engagement are urgently required to protect and rehabilitate habitat connectivity, and ensure the continued survival of Blanding’s turtles and other wetland-dependent species.
Radio Tagging
We are radio-tagging up to 30 Blanding’s turtles in Matchedash Bay to find out what areas make up these essential habitats for the local Blanding’s population. The main areas of interest we hope to locate include nesting and overwintering sites.
Radio tagging involves attaching a radio transmitter to the shell of a turtle, which will emit a signal that we can detect with a radio receiver. With a receiver hooked up to an antenna, we can manually locate turtles in the field. This activity involves walking to where we last saw a turtle and following its signal until we locate the turtle. Once found, we record its coordinates and a description of the habitat it is using. Over time, this will paint a picture of how Blanding’s turtles use habitat in Matchedash Bay. The tags we use last just under two years.
Building Knowledge
Identifying areas habitually occupied by species at risk is fundamental to their protection under the new Species Conservation Act. Sites where species at risk den, nest, breed, rear, stage, and overwinter are automatically protected under the Act.
Our previous intermittent visual surveys were not sufficient at identifying these essential habitats, so we developed a more intensive monitoring plan as part of this project.
Invasive Phragmites Management
Eradicating invasive Phragmites from the Georgian Bay coastline is something we're proud to invest focused efforts. GBF is the Canadian charity doing the most prolific work to manage invasive Phragmites specifically in Georgian Bay. This work helps to maintain the integrity of wetlands and their crucial habitats.
