Along the north shore of Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County’s South Shore is a remarkable area of Canadian nature.

Well known as a destination for tourists wishing to enjoy natural open spaces, lakeside views and local wineries, the area is also critical for wildlife. The South Shore provides important habitat for migrating birds, bats, butterflies and dragonflies who live and rely on the meadows, savannah, woodlands, wetlands and marshes on the shore of the great lakes.

The area is home to several species at risk including Blanding’s Turtle, Bobolink, Barn Swallow, Eastern Meadowlark and the Eastern Whip-poor-will.

Nature Canada is working with the South Shore Joint Initiative to protect the South Shore, an area that includes 26 square kilometres of land and 65 square kilometres of shore waters. The region already includes Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, Ostrander Point Crown Land Block and Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area, but birds, turtles and other species remain at-risk from industrial and other development without permanent protection for the length of the southern shoreline.