Welcome to the Guildwood Pond

I would like to introduce a province-wide conservation program that I'm participating in. The program is called Adopt-A-Pond and is developed and administered in partnership by Environment Canada's Nature Watch program, the Ontario Government's Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) and the Toronto Zoo Wetland conservation program. 

 The pond I have adopted is situated along the Scarborough shoreline, beside the Guildwood beach and I've now listed it as the official location for Frog Watch Ontario and Ontario Turtle Tally. It's a small pond, with a rough circumference of 400 ft and at its deepest point may only be 4-5 ft deep. The pond sits near a beach at the base of the bluffs, at the end of a service road. For the purpose of this project, I have (unofficially) named it Guildwood Pond. 



















 I will be visiting the pond at least 3 times a week in the spring to report sightings on a routine schedule and whether there are frogs present or not, the information will be used by scientists studying the threats to amphibian populations. The data collected will help biologists and conservationists understand the impact of environmental change on our native species. My inspiration for being involved in this program is based in my life-long interest in our amphibian friends, and my appreciation for the natural landscape that I have been exploring along the shores of the Scarborough Bluffs. 

In April of last year, I was going for an early morning walk and as I was half way down the Guild service road I was amazed to hear an orchestra of delightful calls and chirps echoing up the hill. It seemed to be coming from the direction of the lake. Being new to the area, at first I was surprised. I had no idea what the sound was, or where it was coming from. I slowly proceeded down the service road and as I got to the end, I paused for a moment to listen again. The sound was louder. I realized the direction it was coming from and looked over the hill and there below me I saw the pond, just to the east of Guild beach. Then I realized it was the sound of frogs calling! I was amazed by this discovery and so delighted to find this pond. How wonderful to have this important habitat so close to the beach.   Frogs are an important part of local biodiversity and are considered 'indicator' species because of how vulnerable they are to environmental changes. 
"Frogs and toads have a special role to play in keeping the environment healthy. With their semi-permeable skin and their ability to live 'on the edge' between water and land, frogs and toads are very sensitive to pollution and other environmental changes"  www.naturewatch.ca

 I learned about the Frog Watch and Turtle Tally programs this past winter when I was updating my sightings of frogs and turtles onto regional and national databases.  I have been looking forward to being involved in the Adopt-A-Pond program with great anticipation and now that spring is here, I hope you will enjoy taking this journey with me. I'll be back soon with some updates on my recent visits to the pond!



















Jennifer @ 416-871-5132 jenfalvy@hotmail.com

Comments

Unknown said…
There are several areas west and east of the Galloway Road that engage these wonderful creatures. Once the Government paves and opens this up as a 'TOURIST' area - they will be gone.
March 24, 2017 at 3:59 PM
Anonymous said…
Very true Fiona. Please sign and comment on our petition if you have not done so already
March 25, 2017 at 5:42 AM
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