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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 28, 2012 · 14 Town researches wildlife and habitat in Oakville By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Coyote education and the creation of additional wildlife habitat were among the topics of discussion in an Oakville Wildlife Strategy status report presented to Town Council last week. Councillors approved the creation of the strategy in the summer of 2011. It was an attempt to put together a comprehensive overview of wildlife issues in the town -- with sections on roles and responsibilities, natural areas, dealing with conflict, biodiversity, and recommendations. On the topic of coyote "Staff has received positive feedback on the coyote outreach and education strategies and has noted a significant decline in the number of calls and e-mails received from residents." Donna Doyle, senior environmental policy analyst, Town of Oakville management, Town staff noted that since a coyote attack on a young girl in January of this year, a coyote reporting system has been established, which residents are using to report sightings and feeding issues. The Town's Parks and Open Space, Environmental Policy, and Bylaw Enforcement officers have also responded to a number of incidents to address garbage and wildlife feeding. Securing food waste and preventing people from deliberately feeding coyotes are seen as essential to keeping coyotes from approaching people. Town staff also pointed out that through a partnership with Oakvillegreen, more than 10,000 students in public, Catholic and independent schools, have had an interactive presentation, providing science-based information on coyotes and how to respond safely if one is encountered. The wildlife status report stated a total of 21 signs have been erected to warn residents when coyote activity has been observed in the area. "Staff has received positive feedback on the coyote outreach and education strategies and has noted a significant decline in the number of calls and e-mails received from residents," said Donna Doyle, senior environmental policy analyst, in the report. "There has been interest by other municipalities in using the Oakville-developed approach to address similar situations," said Doyle. Coyote issues are not the only ones the Town is looking to get under control. The Town has introduced fines for cats found roaming off private property. Cats, stated the report, are a significant threat to wildlife with research showing that many cats kill 70 to 100 animals annually. Improvements to wildlife corridors and habitats was another recommendation previously outlined. Since that previous report, the Town has partnered with the Oakville Horticultural Society (OHS) on the Anderson Parkette pilot project, which saw the 3,000-sq. ft. Anderson Bridge Parkette transformed with the planting of more than 40 types of native plant species. At the corner of Forsythe and Rebecca streets, the parkette is innovative, water-wise and bio-diverse and has been dubbed Garden for Life. The garden officially opened in September 2012 and it now supports many pollinators and provides food and shelter for wildlife. This past spring, the Town partnered with Appleby College and Evergreen on a stewardship project at South Shell Park and Shell Park to remove invasive species and add approximately 150 trees and shrubs. Town staff said the area is critical to migratory birds travelling across Lake Ontario. Town staff also worked with the Bronte Harbour Outer Marina to install tires in the harbour to serve as nesting areas for the rednecked grebe. Improvements to these nesting areas will be undertaken in 2013 with the addition of nesting platforms to prevent the loss of hatchlings. In Glenorchy Conservation Area, the Town partnered with Conservation Halton (CH) to develop a constructed wetland that will provide multiple benefits including increasing wildlife habitat, creating waterfowl nesting sites and breeding habitats for various amphibians and reptiles. Development of the site took place this fall and is expected to be completed by next spring.