Saving Deerberry: What you can do to help

Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) is a low shrub that grows in open woodlands. It is a relative of the edible blueberries plant. Do you live near Deerberry? In Canada, Deerberry is found only in the Niagara Region and the Thousand Islands along the St. Lawrence River. Deerberry prefers open areas and most populations are found in open oak woodlands. Its habitat in the Niagara area is dominated by Red Oak, White Oak, Ash and Sugar Maple trees, with Ironwood, Sassafras, Witch-hazel, and Gray Dogwood in the understorey. In the Thousand Islands region Deerberry is found with Red Oak, Pitch Pine, Photo: Janet Novak and White Pine. Deerberry’s habitat is sometimes associated with past disturbances, Field check such as logging and wildfire.  Height: 1 metre What you can do to help  Leaves: oval-shaped, 2.5-9 cm long  Learn to identify this plant. If you are lucky and 0.5-4 cm wide; smooth edges; enough to discover a new population of whitened underside; arranged Deerberry, be sure to report it to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources or the Natural alternately Heritage Information Centre.  Stem: black with thin papery shreds  Stay on designated trails when walking, when mature, grey to brown and cycling or driving an off-road vehicle in a slightly hairy when young natural area to avoid trampling vegetation and  Flowers: early summer; white; bell- damaging sensitive habitat. Trampling is especially damaging to young fragile stems. shaped with long stalks  Prevent soil erosion by maintaining natural  Fruit: July - August; round berries vegetation cover. Do not drive vehicles in greenish to bluish in colour areas of wet or loose soil.  Prevent natural succession. Controlled burns are sometimes used to mimic natural Did you know? processes that maintain open habitats required by species such as Deerberry. Deerberry flowers provide nectar for Given the potential hazards to people and bees and other important pollinators. property, extreme caution should always be Deerberry flowers require a rare form of used with fire, and prescribed burns should ‘buzz’ pollination – bees must create only be undertaken under the supervision of vibrations of particular frequencies to an expert, and with appropriate permits in place. Contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural trigger the flower’s release of pollen. Resources for guidance. The berries are food for many animals. Saving Deerberry

More Best Stewardship Practices Status  Keep your pets on a leash when you walk Deerberry is listed as threatened nationally and them in natural areas, as pets can transport provincially. It is illegal to kill, harm, or collect it, invasive plant seeds if they get stuck in the or to destroy its habitat in Ontario. pet's hair. Carolinian Canada Coalition is working with  Learn to identify invasive species. Your local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources local Conservation Authority or Ontario Offices, Conservation Authorities and other Ministry of Natural Resources Office can Non-Governmental Organizations to recover provide you with information on invasive Species at Risk. species that occur in your area and what you You can help the recovery efforts by protecting can do to help prevent their spread. this species and its habitat.  Avoid dumping waste of any kind in natural areas. Garbage damages plants, pollutes the environment and may introduce Good sources of information invasive species.  Landscape with native plant species from Carolinian Canada Coalition: local seed-stock supplied by a reputable www.carolinian.org garden centre. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources:  Learn about stewardship activities in your Includes information about Ontario Species at Risk area and actively participate in protecting www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ Species at Risk. To find more information Natural Heritage Information Centre about stewardship activities in your area, http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/ contact your local Stewardship Council or Find your local Conservation Authority Office: Conservation Authority. www.conservationontario.ca  Take advantage of the Environmental Government of Canada Species at Risk Public Farm Plan program. To learn more contact Registry: www.sararegistry.gc.ca the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources or the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Find your local Stewardship Council: Rural Affairs. www.ontariostewardship.org  If you have Species at Risk on your Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs property, you may be eligible for stewardship www.omafra.gov.on.ca/ programs or financial incentives that support the protection and recovery of Species at Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association Includes information about the Environmental Farm Risk and their habitats. Contact the Ontario Plan Ministry of Natural Resources for more ontariosoilcrop.org information.  Report any illegal activity related to plants and wildlife to 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) Assistance for this project was provided by the Government of Ontario Did you know? Deerberry berries provide food for a wide Environment Environnement variety of birds and mammals, including Wild Canada Canada Turkey, Eastern Towhee and White-tailed Deer.