Walpole Island contains some of the most diverse and significant natural areas remaining in Canada; including rare tallgrass prairies and oak savanna remnants, Carolinian forests, and one of the largest wetlands systems in the Great Lakes basin.

These habitats are home to many rare wildlife species; including some found nowhere else in Canada. In fact, the Walpole Island First Nation makes up only 0.002% of Canada's landmass, yet contains 12% of Canada's Species At Risk. Few places can boast of such natural diversity.

Many of the species that are listed on the COSEWIC species at risk list are locally abundant on Walpole Island. This is due to the fact their habitats and associated species remain intact, which is a direct result of our traditional lifestyles and values. Our ongoing responsibility is to teach our children that 'All Our Relations' are important - whether they are rare or not. It was this way of thinking that contributed to Walpole Island remaining an area of great natural diversity, with an abundance of both rare and common wildlife species.

Through a long history of evolution, each species of wildlife has become adapted to fit into a particular ecological niche. When things change or are disrupted beyond a certain limit, some species have difficulty adapting to those changes. They no longer prosper and their numbers decline until they become 'at risk' of becoming extinct.

There are many reasons why certain species decline and become endangered. Various outside forces and factors in a species' environment influence how well a species is able to survive. In addition, more subtle internal forces, such as the specific biological requirements of a species and its ability to adapt to change, determine whether and how well a species can cope with the outside changes in its environment. Some of the most prevalent environmental factors contributing to species decline include: habitat loss and degradation, environmental contamination, genetic and reproductive isolation, suppression of natural events, over harvesting, climate change, disease, and invasive species.

Each year, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) compiles a species at risk list of all recorded species of wildlife in Canada. The committee is composed of federal, provincial and territorial wildlife officials, non-government wildlife experts and representatives from conservation organizations. They determine and review the national status of wild species that are considered to be at risk in Canada and assign each species in one of the following risk categories: Not at Risk, Special Concern, Threatened, Endangered, Extirpated and Extinct.

Many of these species deemed at risk in Canada by COSEWIC are locally abundant on Walpole Island - for some species Walpole Island remains as the last strong hold to their existence in Canada. This is due to the fact that their habitats remain intact, which is a direct result of our traditional lifestyles and values.

Recovery teams and plans are being developed to rescue wildlife species at risk of extinction at the national and provincial levels.

NEED
There is a need for an increased awareness and understanding of endangered species and spaces on our territory among our youth, our landholders, local community members and the broader region.

The development of a strategic planning approach and the coordination of efforts is required to protect and conserve the significant natural areas on the WIFN.

CONSIDERATIONS
The prairies, savannas and woodlands are important ecologically, culturally, socially, and economically to the overall health of Walpole Island's diverse biological ecosystem and to all those who live within the delta.

As growth increases within our community the threat to ecologically significant natural areas is increasing.

New landholders were generally unaware of the significant contribution that their land has made to the natural heritage of Walpole Island.

WHAT WE ARE DOING
With funding support from Environment Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program we are continuing to build on the work of the previous years.

With 30% of Ontario's species at risk and 12% of Canada's both found on WIFN - this next step project with the Habitat Stewardship Program will greatly contribute to creating concrete outreach products for use by ourselves and others.

1. Communications Project
2. Landholder Contact/GIS Database Building Project
3. Community and Landholders Outreach Project
4. Other Projects

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS
A key next step is to provide further resources to support outreach activities in our community that will contribute to creating awareness and understanding of species at risk, their recovery and the benefits of sustainable development on a local and eco-region wide level.

An additional key step is to identify funding to support the development of a Natural Heritage Strategy for our First Nation that will, through education, funding, formal protection, enhancement and understanding, ensure that our unique natural areas remain on the WIFN for the continued use and benefit of future generations.