PROJECTS

Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes Norfolk, Ontario

We have been monitoring Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Heterodon platirhinos, nesting behaviour and hatching success since 2021. This project is in partnership with Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) and St. Williams Conservation Reserve.

Northern Map Turtles Stoney Lake, Ontario

Our work with Northern Map Turtles, Graptemys geographica, began in 2023. The goal is to identify overwintering sites and summer activity of this species to ensure they are not negatively affected by human activity on the lake. This project is in partnership with the Stony Lake Heritage Foundation

Massasauga Rattlesnakes Muskoka, Ontario

Masssasauga's, Sistrurus catenatus, are a threatened species in the Georgian Bay region. We have been monitoring gestation sites, sites that females use when they are going to give birth, since 2013. Our current focus is on the use of trail cameras to document basking behaviour of females. Our partners are Muskoka Conservancy and Georgian Bay Biosphere.

Moose Surveys, Muskoka & Haliburton, Ontario

Monitoring moose populations is generally accomplished via aerial surveys that utilize helicopters or airplanes. Our research centres around the use of drones to capture thermal imagery that will detect moose. We are currently working to establish the optimal flight altitude, flight speed, and thermal image profile to detect moose at our study sites. This project is in partnership with Fleming College's Ecosystem Management Program.

Amphibian & Reptile Diversity, Costa Rica

Amphibians and reptiles are among the most threatened vertebrates on the planet. Long-term monitoring of amphibians and reptiles provides insight into how these animals are coping with climate change. Our work at Reserva Biológica Tirimbina began in 2017. We continue to monitor amphibians and reptiles at four sites within the reserve annually as part of our Tropical Field Herpetology course.

Leatherback Turtle Conservation, Costa Rica

The Asociación Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina has been protecting marine turtles on the Parismina beach since 2001. We began working with them in 2013 to assist with monitoring activities on the beach and promotion of the program to ensure environmental and economic viability of the project. A team travels to Costa Rica every year at the end of April to assist with this Community-based Marine Turtle program.