Over December many Dundas residents have likely noticed the fencing going up along Cootes drive. This exciting development is best read about here: https://www.rbg.ca/cootes-drive-roadside-wildlife-protection-upgrade/ on the official RBG page, and will be the main source referred to in this petition update. 

It is fortunate that in our community multiple forces have been pushing for many of the same things as our petition. Cootes Drive has long been a problematic area for wildlife. The wildlife barrier upgrade is part of a project lead by Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) and collaborated by the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA). The new barrier will consist of a 3ft tall chain link fence with 3ft tall Animex sheet buried 10 inches into the ground along the fence length. This type of structuring helps to prevent turtles and even small turtle hatchlings from accessing the road with the added benefit of protecting creatures, like frogs, snakes and salamanders. 

One of the demands stated in our petition was for the construction of long lasting roadside barriers as their importance is crucial toward successful conversation efforts. It is a victory worth celebrating! But we have to keep pushing for more; for the tunnels, and for complete barriers. Solutions will still have to be found for some areas that remain open, including a large area left open for a gas line (about 1200ft) and tunnels are irrefutably crucial for turtle migration and breeding that baracades don't solve on their own. If we want to help local populations repair we must both prevent casualties on roadways and help local populations have the opportunity to replenish themselves. 

So celebrate. But we are not done yet. Keep sharing, keep signing, keep contacting your local representative. Anything worth doing is worth doing well and completely. I don't intend to stop here.