Featured Species

Throughout the Great Lakes Region, amphibians are vital to healthy ecosystems. Sensitive to environmental change, amphibians serve as bioindicators, utilized by ecologists to measure the level of pollution within an ecosystem. In total, 6 species of typical frogs (genus Lithobates) are found in Ontario, including the Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is one of the most ecologically important tree species in the Great Lakes Region. The scientific name means “large-leaved beech” – it has larger leaves than European Beech (Fagus sylvatica), which is more familiar to botanists and horticulturalists. It is widely distributed across Eastern North America,

The Grey Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides) is a non-venomous constrictor in the Colubridae family. It is one of two species of Pantherophis ratsnakes, the other species being the much more common Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus). Foxsnakes are widely distributed across the Lake Erie Region (including Rondeau, Pelee, and the Long Point

The Long Point Basin along Lake Erie (extending from Port Stanley to Port Dover), is home to 19 species of reptiles, encompassing 7 turtle species and 12 snake species. This region contains the largest remaining natural habitats on the Canadian side of Lake Erie, with a very high concentration of

Introducing Long Point’s Turtles 
Ontario has 9 native species of turtles: the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), Yellow-throated or Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene

Description and habitat
Eastern Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is one of North America’s most showy Dogwood species, featured on the Norfolk County’s coat-of-arms and flag (often viewed flying in small towns, such as St. Williams). Each May, the branches are smothered with beautiful white-petaled flowers, measuring up to 3 cm

Description and habitat
American Hazel (Corylus americana) is one of ~15 species of Hazel worldwide, and one of only 2 species native to North America’s Great Lakes Region. The other species is the Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta). American Hazel is widely distributed throughout Eastern North America south to Louisiana, while

Description and habitat
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is among the tallest deciduous tree species in the Great Lakes Region, the coniferous Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is slightly taller in old-growth forests. The species name Liriodendron tulipifera translates to “tulip-bearing lily tree”. There are only two species of Liriodendron in the

Description and habitat
Wild Crabapple (Malus coronaria) is the only species of apple native to Ontario. Like all apple trees, it is a member of the Rose family, Rosaceae. This tree is distributed from southern Ontario to Ohio Valley and Central Appalachian Region of the eastern United States. Escaped Common

Description and habitat
Yellow Birch (Betula lutea, syn. Betula alleghaniensis) is a large deciduous tree abundant throughout Ontario’s Great Lakes Region. Yellow Birch can grow 35 m in ideal conditions, though most trees are shorter. It is one of Ontario’s 3 birch species – the other two are Paper Birch