#urbansprawl — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

DoomsdaysCW @[email protected] · 2026-08-02 · 22:39 UTC

#OntarioGreenbelt is a Refuge for Species at Risk

#Toronto, May 22, 2026 – "On World #Biodiversity Day, a new report published by #OntarioNature demonstrates the critical role that the Greenbelt plays as a safe haven for some of Ontario’s most vulnerable species.

"The report – Species at Risk in the Greenbelt: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities – shows that since 2004, the number of species at risk living in the Greenbelt has increased by 68%, rising from 72 to 121 species. That growth far outpaces provincial trends, confirming the Greenbelt’s critical importance for biodiversity in southern Ontario.

"The 121 at-risk species that inhabit the Greenbelt represent 42% of the total species at risk in Ontario – including rare birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants. Some, like the hooded warbler, are showing signs of recovery thanks to protected habitats and coordinated conservation efforts. Others, like redside dace and Jefferson salamander, are struggling as habitat fragmentation and pollution harm breeding and feeding grounds. The habitats the Greenbelt provides for the hooded warbler, redside dace, Jefferson salamander and many other species not only sustain this diversity of life but play an essential role in human health by ensuring the flow of clean water, filtering the air and providing a natural buffer against flooding.

" 'The Greenbelt shows us what’s possible when nature is given space to breathe,' said Ontario Nature’s Acting Conservation Science and #Stewardship Director, Jenna Quinn. 'But we can’t expect it to do all the work on its own. Species at risk need action to ensure their recovery.'

"According to Ontario Nature’s Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Tony Morris: 'The #Greenbelt isn’t just a buffer against #UrbanSprawl, it’s a refuge for a diversity of life. Greenbelt #forests, #wetlands and #rivers are vital strongholds for many species that have lost habitats elsewhere in southern Ontario.'

"The Greenbelt is a cherished public policy that celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. On this #WorldBiodiversityDay, we reflect on the importance of the variety of life on Earth and encourage actions to protect it. The Greenbelt’s role in protecting habitats and vulnerable species is more important than ever. Collectively, we must do everything we can to protect, strengthen and expand the Greenbelt to keep Ontario self-reliant, secure and ready to meet future challenges."

Learn more:
https://ontarionature.org/news-release/greenbelt-is-a-refuge-for-species-at-risk/

#SolarPunkSunday #WildlifeCorridors
#PreserveTheForest #ReconnectNature #Canada #Biodiversity #ProtectNature #Interconnectedness #NatureCorridors #EndangeredSpecies #HabitRestoration

#ontariogreenbelt #toronto #biodiversity #ontarionature #stewardship #greenbelt

DoomsdaysCW @[email protected] · 2026-01-03 · 23:38 UTC

#UK - How #WildlifeCorridors Are Helping Animals Survive In #Urban Areas

By Sarah Whitmore / 20 May 2025

Excerpt: "How animals actually use these corridors

"Let’s take #hedgehogs. Urban hedgehog populations are declining sharply — partly because their ability to roam has been limited by garden fences, walls, and roads. A hedgehog might need to travel over a kilometre in a single night to find enough food and a mate. The Hedgehog Street campaign has shown that something as simple as a 13 cm hole in a garden fence can turn a neighbourhood into a habitat network.

"#Bats, which are legally protected in the UK, rely on uninterrupted linear features like tree rows and waterways to navigate. When gaps appear in these features — from tree removal, #LightPollution, or #development — their movement is disrupted. Creating corridors that link #roosting sites with feeding grounds can dramatically increase their chances of survival.

"#Amphibians, especially species like common toads, face seasonal danger when crossing roads to reach breeding ponds. #UnderRoadTunnels and #AmphibianFriendly #drainage routes, used in projects supported by organisations like #Froglife, have proven successful at reducing #roadkill and supporting local populations.

"#Pollinators like #bees and #butterflies also benefit immensely from corridors. Isolated #wildflower patches can’t support long-distance foraging. But when these patches are linked — even via #roadside verges or #SchoolGardens — insects can move more freely and establish healthier, more resilient populations."