Tiny Snakes in Shrinking Habitats

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Created: Thursday, 25 September 2008 12:49

This little critter would sit neatly on a loonie, but he'd rather hide under a rock pile or rotten log in some woodland.  More unicorns have been spotted in our region than Sharp-tailed Snakes because most haven't even heard of Sharpies.  Despite their probable objections, HAT is trying to increase the little serpent's profile so that it can persist for another few thousand years in our region.   This snake and 117 other Species at Risk in the same habitats (Garry oak ecosystems) are facing the greatest threat since the ice age - explosive urban development.  For three years HAT and biologist Christian Engelstoft have been locating previously unknown Sharpie populations from Metchosin to Galiano Island with the help of landowners with suitable habitats.  We want to know where the snakes live so that as development occurs, their needs are taken into consideration.  We're only now learning about their habitat requirements and what it will take to maintain this biological hotspot called Southern Vancouver Island.  For more information on this project including a comparison of Sharpies to garter snakes, click here.

Tiny Snakes in Shrinking Habitats

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Created: Thursday, 25 September 2008 12:30

An adult Sharpie would sit neatly on a loonie, but he'd prefer to hide in a rock pile or rotten log. Of course few people ever see one since they avoid sunlight. If you did see one, you might mistake it for a worm.   The Sharp-tailed Snake is Endangered, and it's only found in this part of Canada.

For three years HAT and biologist Christian Engelstoft have been meeting with landowners with suitable habitats for this rare snake: south-facing open woodlands with rocky slopes and downed wood.  We're focusing our efforts in the Highlands, Methchosin, and Galiano Island to discover previously unknown populations and to determine the extent of known populations.

Isolated by geography and their lack of wings, Sharpies are very vulnerable to habitat loss as a result of the explosive expansion of urban development in our region.  This darling mini-serpent isn't the only one hoping to keep their home - 117 Species at Risk need the same oak and arbutus woodland habitats to survive.  They've lived here for thousands of years, but we're only beginning to learn about their needs, and what it will take to maintain the rich biodiversity of our region.

Find out the difference between Sharpies and garter snakes here. Let us know if you see one, and take a photo!

Headwaters to Deepwaters II Conference Nov 7-9

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Created: Thursday, 25 September 2008 11:51

100 + conservationists in one room!

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Created: Monday, 22 September 2008 16:59

HAT's 8th annual Conservation Connection forum at the Burnside Gorge Community Centre was a hotbed of discussion, learning and collaboration.

Thanks to our many speakers: Dave Fraser (MOE, pictured), Andrew Harcombe (NCC), John Morton (consultant), Lynne Milnes (UVic), Jane Buzza (Fundraiser), Russ Fuoco (Saanich), Naomi Devine (UVic), Jenny Feick (MOE), Guy Dauncey (BCSEA), Tara MacDonald (VolVic), Mariko Bayley (VolVic), Megan MacDonald (VolVic), Judith Cullington (connsultant, UFSI), Bob Cox (consultant), Andrea Barnett (Ducks Unlimited), Dr. Bill Code (IFA) Matthew Kemshaw (Lifecycles), Lana Popham (Barking Dog Vinyard), Nikki Wright (SeaChange) Garry Fletcher (Consultant), and Michael Dunn (GICEL).

Topics included: fundraising, MOE's new Conservation Framework, climate change, volunteers, the Wetland Stewardship Partnership, Local Food production and consumption, marine conservation, and more.

The Conservation Connection Forum has been generously funded and supported by the Victoria Foundation. In addition Serious Coffee, PSC Natural Foods, Silk Road Tea, Planet Organic and the Rocky Mountain Muffin Company will be donating food and beverages at the event. A sincere thank you goes out to all our sponsors without whom HAT would not be able to operate the forum.