I want to help protect space for Canada's wildlife

by Emily Hrudka (12 years old; Exeter, Ontario)
Point Pelee is almost all natural habitat. There is only one road and many trees surrounding it. Surrounding the boardwalk of Point Pelee, there is marsh. Ducks roam through long grass and little frogs jump around. I took a picture of a butterfly which I couldn’t identify in any of my books. I was then told it could be the Question Mark butterfly which isn’t so common.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans) (c) Emily Hrudka
It is so beautiful there. My Nana and I rode bikes down the one road. We saw so many interesting things: you really just have to be happy when you’re there!
It is so amazing that in the most southern point of Canada there are thousands of butterflies. Monarch butterflies migrate in Mexico, and Point Pelee has a wind current which forces them to stay there. On a nice day, bright and early they take flight on an independent trip over Lake Erie. Point Pelee is known for its butterflies, but it also has many amazing other creatures which include frogs, dragonflies, birds, praying mantis and lots of caterpillars. They also have monarch cocoons in the nature store there and when they hatch, they let them go. It is neat to study them up close before they fly away!

At the tip of Point Pelee, I would watch a little lone monarch flap its wings so many times go over the lake. They know they can make it, but just watching them they don’t look like they can. They must have a lot of self confidence. When we visited, a guide a showed us all the different types of trees the caterpillars liked and how they are only in Point Pelee area. Point Pelee is a protected space: the sky is open – no radio towers are allowed. I think all the creatures there are lucky to be there.
If only more space was saved for Point Pelee National Park. I think Canada’s wildlife needs more places to be. When I am older, I want to help protect space for Canada’s wildlife.