The Town of Amherstburg is hoping to reduce road kill in the Big Creek Watershed area.
Council has agreed to spend $2,400 on wildlife signage after a month long study from April to May recorded 37 dead animals including deer, opossums, muskrats, raccoons and birds along with over 300 frogs and toads.
Councillor Don McArthur says he's confident the signs can make a difference.
"We put up signs around town discouraging people from impaired driving, so we said hey, let's put up signs around town just to remind people how important Big Creek is and to be a little mindful that there could be wildlife on the road," he says. "It might save them going fast and having to swerve and it will, I think, certainly have an impact in terms of protecting the animals."
McArthur says sometimes drivers need a reminder.
"I think it's a smart thing to put up some signs to protect the environment and the signs we picked, they're pretty flashy. In addition to reminding people to respect wildlife, I think it will remind people who precious the area is," he says.
Wildlife signs proposed for the Big Creek Watershed in Amherstburg (Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg)
Sixteen signs will be placed at several locations throughout the municipality spanning from Texas Rd. to County Rd. 50.
McArthur says administration will continue to explore other options as well.
"What more can we do to promote the protection of wildlife? To market Amherstburg as a place for eco-tourism? We've got so much bio-diversity here in Amherstburg. We have so many inland waterways, let alone the Detroit River. Let's make sure we protect our natural resources," he says.
Town administration will report back to council in a few months on whether or not the signs are making a difference.