RESTORE COOTES

http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/4430337-city-closing-king-road-for-salamanders-starting-march-27/ King Road will close from the base of the Niagara Escarpment to Mountain Brow Road from March 27-April 17 to allow the endangered Jefferson salamander safe passage during its annual migration to lay eggs. Beginning in 2012, the City of Burlington has closed the same section of road completely for a three-week period. “The closure is a significant conservation measure because the annual migration puts salamanders at risk,” said Bruce Zvaniga, the city’s director of transportation services, in a press release. “There is good evidence that the effort has allowed the Jefferson salamanders to travel safely across King Road, helping preserve a unique part of Burlington’s biodiversity.” The Jefferson salamander is a protected species and is nationally and provincially endangered. In Canada, the Jefferson salamander is found in Southern Ontario in select areas of deciduous forest, mostly al...

The Hamilton Spectator reports that our neighbouring city of Burlington received the 2013 Municipal Leadership Award for its role in "providing a safe passage across King Road for the endangered Jefferson salamander during its annual migration to lay eggs. The road closure took place between March 18 and April 18." Hopefully one day the Burlington papers will be reporting how Hamilton received an award for providing safe passage for turtles across Cootes Drive. For now we just let them get run over.

video platform video management video solutions video player Very satisfying to see real action taken to protect vulnerable species. Will the Cootes Paradise turtle population get the same treatment?

A great news story out of Burlington. Councillor Craven is to be commended for his support: “A three-week closure is a small price to pay to preserve a species.”  - truly! (from the Hamilton Spectator) - Roads disrupt habitat and certain species are very vulnerable to road kill - Cootes Drive in Hamilton/Dundas is a prime example where road kill of sensitive populations is ongoing - a highway through a marsh is not a good idea! Burlington closes King Road for salamander season   BURLINGTON The Jefferson salamanders have returned to King Road, forcing the closure of a section of the Burlington road until March 29.  The road is closed at the point where King Road climbs over the Niagara Escarpment. It’s an annual rite to allow the endangered Jefferson salamander safe passage during its annual migration to lay eggs.  Burlington is home to one of the few pockets of Jefferson salamanders in the province. “We tried voluntary overnight closures as a...

Brenda Van Ryswyk, Conservation Halton Save lusty salamanders - avoid King Road TheSpec.com - Local - Save lusty salamanders - avoid King Road Ken Peters , The Hamilton Spectator BURLINGTON (Mar 27, 2010) They're lovers in a dangerous time. It's the weekend of free love ... Jefferson salamander style. Hundreds of the little amphibians with love on their tiny brains will brave a crossing of King Road this weekend. Those lucky eno...