January 6, 2010 Quinte Conservation is using the Internet to get the word out on species at risk in our area. Each month the Quinte Conservation website will feature a different species at risk. January’s featured species is the Southern Flying Squirrel.

A Species At Risk is any naturally-occurring plant or animal in danger of extinction or of disappearing from the province. Conservation Education Coordinator Maya Navrot says, “Species can become at risk due to habitat loss, pollution, changing land use activities, as well as the spread of invasive species.” She adds, “Loss of habitat has been a big problem for the Southern Flying Squirrel. These squirrels live in mature forests, but not isolated woodlots.”

Navrot says the purpose of the new Species at Risk Awareness Program is to let the public know about the special and unique wildlife species that are vulnerable in our local area. She adds “Understanding species at risk in our watersheds allows us to assess the direction of our efforts in order to improve our management practices for healthy and diverse ecosystems.”

You can find information about each month’s species at risk by visiting the Quinte Conservation website.

Quinte Conservation is a community based environmental protection agency that serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost effective environmental expertise and leadership that develops and delivers programs to ensure the healthy coexistence between the community, the environment and its economy. More information is available at Quinte Conservtion.

Contact: Maya Navrot Conservation Education Coordinator Quinte Conservation 613-968-3434 613-354-3312