Rahul Somvanshi
Burlington’s annual amphibian protection initiative enters another year as King Road closes from March 12 to April 9, 2025, allowing the endangered Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) to safely cross during their breeding migration. This conservation measure, in place since 2012, represents a crucial effort to protect one of Ontario’s most vulnerable amphibian species.
“Jefferson salamanders are not only beloved in Aldershot but all across Burlington. Every year, it’s a welcome sign of spring to close King Road to provide safe passage for ‘Jeff’ and ‘Sally’ in their quest to find a mate,” said Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. “The City truly values this partnership with Conservation Halton, as well as the ongoing support we receive from our residents and businesses.”
The closed section runs from North Service Road to Mountain Brow Road, with access maintained for local traffic to properties between North Service Road and the escarpment. This temporary closure occurs each spring when these secretive amphibians emerge from their underground wintering sites to travel to temporary ponds formed by spring runoff.
The Jefferson salamander was added to Ontario’s endangered species list in 2010-11 and receives protection at both provincial and federal levels. Adult salamanders reach 12 to 20 centimeters in length, with half that length comprising their tail. They display grey or brown coloration with distinctive blue flecks on their sides and limbs.
“Each spring, the Jefferson salamander’s journey reminds us of the importance of conservation and collaboration,” noted Chandra Sharma, President and CEO of Conservation Halton. “Through our longstanding partnership with the City of Burlington, we continue to support the recovery of this remarkable species and maintain a healthy ecosystem in our watershed.”
What makes these amphibians particularly unique is their extraordinary lifespan—may live up to 30 years in the wild—far longer than most small animals. Yet this longevity contrasts with their vulnerability during migration, when road mortality presents a significant threat to their survival.
The Jefferson salamander population has faced steep declines, with some estimates suggesting a 90% reduction over three generations. Their breeding behavior involves females laying egg masses attached to underwater vegetation in vernal pools—temporary water bodies that dry up in summer. This habitat specificity makes them especially susceptible to both urbanization and climate change impacts.
In York Region, similar conservation efforts involve intermittent overnight closures of Stouffville Road between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street from March 24 to May 2, protecting salamanders migrating near Oak Ridges Moraine habitats.
These road closure initiatives align with broader conservation strategies throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is known for using innovative techniques and might have installed some at Stouffville Road to optimize closure timing.
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Patrick Moldowan, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto, has highlighted that salamanders, including the Jefferson salamander, are increasingly at risk due to habitat fragmentation.“The moist and often dark skin of small-bodied, slow moving amphibians is very difficult to discern from the wet road surface, therefore the chance of road mortality are very high for these animals.”
The salamanders’ biology makes them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. As lungless amphibians that breathe through their moist skin, they require specific microhabitat conditions. During most of the year, they remain underground in forest habitats along the Niagara Escarpment, emerging only during warm, rainy nights in early spring when they feel an instinctual pull to return to their natal breeding ponds.
Conservation professionals have observed strong site fidelity in Jefferson salamanders, meaning they return to the same breeding ponds year after year, often crossing the same roadways. This predictable behavior allows for targeted conservation measures like the King Road closure.
The success of Burlington’s salamander protection program has inspired similar initiatives across Ontario. When communities implement these protective measures, they not only safeguard an endangered species but also preserve wetland ecosystems that benefit numerous other wildlife species.
For residents and commuters affected by the closures, the City of Burlington provides detour information and emphasizes that these temporary inconveniences yield substantial ecological benefits. Volunteers might assist with monitoring during migration season, providing valuable data on population trends and movement patterns.
Under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007, corporations found guilty of harming endangered species or their habitats, such as those of the Jefferson salamander, can face substantial penalties. For a first offence, a corporation may be fined up to $1,000,000. Subsequent offences can result in fines of up to $2,000,000.
Ontario has experienced significant wetland loss, particularly in its southern regions. Since European settlement, over 68% of wetlands in southern Ontario have been lost due to development, agriculture, and other human activities.
The Jefferson salamander serves as an indicator species, with its presence signaling healthy forest and wetland ecosystems throughout southern Ontario. Protecting their habitats is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.
As Burlington residents await the reopening of King Road on April 9, 2025, they can take pride in their community’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. The annual salamander migration serves as a living reminder of nature’s resilience and the positive impact of human intervention when guided by scientific understanding and ecological respect.
Frequently Asked Question
King Road closes from March 12 to April 9, 2025, to protect endangered Jefferson salamanders during their breeding migration. These salamanders need to cross the road to reach their breeding ponds, and the closure helps them travel safely without being hit by cars.
Jefferson salamanders are grey or brown amphibians with blue flecks that grow to about 12-20 cm long. They’re endangered in Ontario and protected by law. These salamanders can live up to 30 years and help keep our ecosystems healthy. When salamanders thrive, it shows that our forests and wetlands are healthy too.
Burlington has been closing this section of King Road since 2012 as part of a partnership with Conservation Halton. The closure happens every spring during the salamanders’ migration season.
Yes, local traffic is still allowed for all properties between North Service Road and the escarpment. Only through traffic is redirected during the closure period.
Jefferson salamanders have strong “site fidelity,” meaning they return to the exact pond where they were born to breed. They’ll cross whatever obstacles are in their way—including roads that may have been built after they were born. This loyalty to their birth pond is why road closures are so important for their survival.
Yes, there are serious legal consequences. Under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, corporations found guilty of harming Jefferson salamanders or their habitats can be fined up to $1,000,000 for a first offense and up to $2,000,000 for subsequent offenses.
Jefferson salamanders spend most of the year underground in forest habitats. They emerge during warm, rainy nights in early spring to breed in temporary ponds formed by spring runoff. These ponds, called vernal pools, dry up in summer after the young salamanders have developed.
Yes, York Region also implements intermittent overnight closures on Stouffville Road between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street from March 24 to May 2 to protect salamanders migrating near Oak Ridges Moraine habitats.
