Snake Board Monitoring Team

Muskoka Conservancy has a Snake Coverboard Monitoring Transect of 24 boards set up at a Nature Reserve in Gravenhurst. If you love snakes and want to help us learn about what species are found on our protected Nature Reserves, this role is a great fit for you!

Role Responsibilities:

·       Assist staff during any of the 8 required monitoring surveys from May-July (you may participate in more than 1 event)

·       You will assist with snake identification, ageing, sexing, etc.

·       Depending on your comfort level, you may assist with snake handling and/or data collection

Qualifications:

·       Comfortable hiking in and around forests, wetlands, and rocky areas

·       Interest in snakes and their protection

·       Able to identify or learn to identify common snake species in Muskoka

·       Able to lift 2’ x 4’ plywood boards

Why we do it:

·       5 of Muskoka’s 11 snake species are listed as ‘at risk’ provincially and/or federally

·       We want to learn more about the snakes that call Muskoka Conservancy’s Protected Areas, home

·       Snakes can be hard to find, by setting up artificial snake coverboards we are able to better find individuals while also having a lesser impact on their natural habitat

·       The information we find will contribute to Ontario Nature’s Long-Term Snake Monitoring Program

Monitoring surveys:

·       Monitoring surveys will start May 15^th and occur every 5-9 days for 8 weeks (until mid-July approx.)

·       5 volunteers are needed for each of the 8 surveys

·       Surveys will take place within 2 hours after sunrise OR 2hrs before sunset

·       The timing of monitoring surveys depends on environmental factors such as temperature and weather, therefore the exact dates and times of the surveys are not available yet

How will it work?

1.       All volunteers will be contacted via email ahead of EACH of the 8 monitoring surveys with details for the DATE & TIME of the survey

2.       The FIRST 5 volunteers to reply that they are available for the survey will be our helpers for the survey

3.       A reminder will be sent out to the 5 volunteers the day before each survey

4.       We will switch up the dates and times to get as many different volunteers out with us as possible!

*Training on how to identify Muskoka snake species and protocol guidelines will be provided, and is a requirement to participate as a Snake Monitoring Volunteer