Photograph: Sharp-tailed snake, by Laura Matthias
Presentation Thursday April 18, 2024 – 7pm-9pm
About the Presentation:
Sharp-tailed snakes are a Species at Risk threatened primarily due to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. Previously thought to be found only in the Gulf islands, the southern tip of Vancouver Island and one small area of the mainland in Pemberton, sharp-tailed snakes were recently found on Lasqueti Island.
The talk will cover local reptiles and amphibians, how to identify the rare and elusive Sharp-tailed Snake, where to find them and why they are so important in Garry Oak ecosystems. The biologists will also share their recent research into using lab analysis to detect trace amounts of DNA and what you can do to help protect this threatened species. Find out more about this interesting species, the conservation efforts to protect them, and what you can do to help.
The presentation is made possible by The Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy (LINC), with support from the Habitat Stewardship Program and the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (provincial Small Mammal and Herpetofauna biologist Leigh Anne Isaac will be hosting the MS Teams meeting link).
Event Link*:
*Please note, you will need to download MS Teams ahead of the presentation to tune in.
Microsoft Teams meeting: Sharp-tailed Snakes and Other Reptiles and Amphibians of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands
April 18, 2024
7pm-9pm
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 222 495 186 965
Passcode: nnpfRE
Download Teams | Join on the web
Presenters:
Carrina Maslovat has worked as a contractor for over 25 years and has authored over 100 reports and journal articles including best management practices and management plans for protected areas. She is a botanist and ecologist by training and since 2018, she has been working with Sharp-tailed Snakes, doing surveys and developing environmental DNA sampling protocols. Carrina is passionate about ecological restoration and has designed and restored wetlands, forests, coastal sand and Garry oak ecosystems to create habitat for species at risk.
Laura Matthias is an ecological consultant with over 25 years of experience in the field of wildlife biology, habitat conservation, Species at Risk monitoring, ecosystem restoration, habitat enhancement and invasive species management. Focal rare species include birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bats, and gastropods. Current research involves development of protocols for novel environmental DNA to detect rare terrestrial species. She has co-authored dozens of reports including species at risk inventories, land management plans, baseline inventories, and best management practices. Laura has designed and implemented restoration projects for wetlands, forest, coastal sands and Garry oak ecosystems to enhance habitat for pollinators, birds and bats.