By Staff
March 11th, 2012
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s Salamander mating season. And to do what that salamander needs to do to maintain the species he has to cross King Road – which means for a period of time King Road will be closed to traffic. This year, the road is already closed for construction of a nearby subdivision.
The green patch has been identified as a natural habitat for the salamander and will not have public access. The shaded parts are land the Nelson Aggregate people want to extend their license to quarry. The large open area in the middle if the current quarry site that is reaching its extraction limits.
The annual passage of the endangered Jefferson salamanders during their breeding migration will begin soon on King Road near the base of the Niagara Escarpment to Mountain Brow Road. Since 2012, the City of Burlington has closed the same section of road for the salamanders which are a nationally and provincially protected endangered species.
The Jefferson Salamander has an exalted place in the minds of the environmentalists who want to keep the escarpment lands as pristine as possible which for them means not allowing any increasing in the size of the Nelson Aggregate open pit off Side Road number 2 at Guelph Line.
After failing to have an application to expand the pit in 2015 Nelson has filed a new application that sets aside land for the salamander.
That Nelson application is working its way through the application process.
Jefferson Salamander – becoming a cult figure with the various vested interests working to give them a place to live.
About the Jefferson Salamander
In Canada, the Jefferson salamander is found in Southern Ontario in select areas of deciduous forest, mostly along the Niagara Escarpment.
Jefferson salamanders spend most of their lives underground. As the weather warms up and the spring rains begin, the salamanders emerge and migrate to breed in temporary ponds formed by run-off, laying their eggs in clumps attached to underwater vegetation. Adults leave the ponds after breeding. By late summer, the larvae lose their gills, become air-breathing juveniles and leave the pond to head into the surrounding forests.
Adult salamanders migrate to their breeding ponds during wet rainy nights. They show a strong affinity for the pond in which they hatched and can be very determined to reach it, sometimes causing them to cross busy roads.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward appears to have adopted the Jefferson salamander – referring to them as “Jeff” in her comments which we share below.
“The Jefferson Salamanders are a unique part of Burlington’s biodiversity and have become a truly beloved part of our local community. At the City of Burlington, in partnership with Conservation Halton, we’re glad to play a small role in protecting the salamanders while raising awareness about their endangered status – ‘Jeff’ also is earning an unofficial mascot status for our city. Closing off this section of King Road each year is proving to be an effective tool in supporting the survival and recovery of this rare species. I’m always grateful to our residents for being willing to inconvenience themselves for a short period of time to help ensure ‘Jeffs’ numbers flourish in the future.”
Hassaan Basit, President and CEO, Conservation Halton
Hassaan Basit, President and CEO, Conservation Halton chimes in with: “With all due respect to Wiarton Willie, here in Burlington, we look to the Jefferson Salamander to let us know that spring is on its way. As the warmer weather and rain arrive, the Jefferson Salamanders head towards breeding ponds, that without human intervention, would require some of them to make a dangerous trek across King Road. Conservation Halton is proud to partner with the City of Burlington each year to ensure that the salamanders can safely make their way to the ponds.”
The Jefferson salamander is protected at both the provincial and national levels. It was added to Ontario’s endangered species list in 2011.
Unlike most small animals, Jefferson salamanders can live a very long time; up to 30 years of age.
