Goose Management Program

This program aims to reduce the goose population while enhancing the community’s enjoyment of its parks, beaches and other public spaces.

In 2023, the Township of Ramara, in cooperation with the Goose Management Committee, implemented a Pilot Goose Management Program within Lagoon City. Due to its success, Ramara Council approved expanding the pilot program in 2024 to include the public areas in Lovely Day Park in Atherley.

For 2023 and 2024, the Township has contracted the services of a Municipal Wildlife Control expert who will assess applicable township owned lands and obtain a permit from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Canadian Wildlife Services to undertake federally-approved control measures, including:

Dissuading geese from situating using noises, laser lights and other methods,
Patrolling with vehicles and dogs; please note, these working dogs are exempt from Ramara’s Canine Control Bylaw,
Removing nests and eggs

Goose Management Program - Control Measure & Timelines

Control Measure	Control Timeline
Avian Dissuader Laser Lights	Daily; During Active Control Months at Dusk and Dawn; Ongoing when Cloudy or Overcast
Avian Distress Calls and Other Sounds	Daily; During Active Control Months
Patrol with Trained Dogs	Daily; During Active Control Months (Except when Geese are Flightless)
Patrol with Vehicle	Daily; During Active Control Months
Remove Nests and Eggs	Spring; Prior to Incubation

Implementation Zone

In the Lagoon City settlement area, goose management will take place on municipal and private park and beaches, land abutting road and footbridge and other lands and easements.

In the Atherley settlement area, goose management will take place on municipal lands at Lovely Day park and Ramara Fire Station 2.

Goose Control on Privately Owned Lands

The necessary Damage or Danger Permits to be obtained from Canadian Wildlife Services may only be issued to an individual who owns, leases or manages the parcel of land on which the damage or danger is occurring; therefore, the Township cannot obtain a permit for goose control on private lands.

Private landowners can participate in Goose Control through Habitat Modification efforts including:

Allowing grass on turf areas to grow to 4 inches high during May and June
Installing a temporary or permanent manmade goose fence to discourage geese from accessing turf areas
Planting native species along shorewalls to create a natural goose fence to discourage geese from accessing turf areas

For information about private landowner participation, please contact lc.goose.management@gmail.com

FAQs

How is the Municipal Goose Management Program Funded?

Goose Control Measures applied to public municipal parks, beaches, and other spaces in Lagoon City and Atherley are funded by the General Taxpayer.

The goose Control Measures for Lagoon City's Private beaches, parks, lands abutting roads and footbridges are funded by those who are apportioned to the Lagoon city Levy, as defined by By-law 2023.33, with the yearly rate outlined by By-law 2023.35. This system ensures a fair distribution of the funding burden.

Private Properties, such as the owner of the Lagoon City Marina, Mews Plaza and other private properties, have contracted the services of Wildlife Management Group Inc. to carry out a similar Goose Management Program to complement the Township's program. Private landowners may contract the services of Wildlife Management Group Inc or another Municipal Wildlife Control expert to assess their land and obtain their own Damage or Danger Permit.

Who do I contact with my questions about the Goose Control Program?

Please submit your questions at the Township of Ramara’s online Report A Concern from where you can select Goose Management Program Inquiry.

Who is the Municipal Wildlife Control Services provider?

The Township of Ramara has contracted the services of the Wildlife Management Group Inc.

Phone: 1-888-557-5855

I have geese nesting on my shorewall, can I remove the nest and/or eggs?

Canada Geese are a public resource, protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA), 1994, which protects and conserves migratory birds, including Canada and Cackling geese. The Act prohibits people from harming protected birds except under specified conditions and harming includes the removal of nests and eggs. Private landowners may contract the services of Wildlife Management Group or another Municipal Wildlife Control expert to assess their land and obtain their own Damage or Danger Permit.

Is it okay to feed geese?

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry recommends not feeding wild animals, including birds. Animals can become dependent on artificial food sources that are unhealthy for wildlife. Feeding wildlife can attract 'unwanted' animals to your property and become a nuisance to your home and neighbours. In Ramara, feeding wildlife is prohibited under the Feeding of Wildlife Bylaw.

There are Goose droppings on my shorewall and lawn, can I wash them into the Canals?

The Township of Ramara’s Bylaw 2020.63 states the placing, dumping or disposing of that which may serve to injure, or foul any canal or waterway owned by the Township of Ramara, including feces, is prohibited. Dumping of waste can be reported by accessing the Township of Ramara’s Report A Concern.

I see canine services are a Control Measure to be used for the Goose Management program. Will geese be chased or harmed by these working dogs?

When canine services are used as a control measure, these animals are trained to perform their duties while remaining leashed. The visual presence of dogs dissuades geese from situating, so there is no chasing or harming of geese.

I would like to place native plants along my shorewall. Is there a resource that helps me know what to plant?

Yes! Bob Bowles of the Robert L. Bowles Nature Centre presented to the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission an overview of the importance of pollinators in our gardens, how to create a pollination garden, the different types of pollinator plants native to Ontario and how to keep the native garden colourful throughout the season.

View or Listen to the presentation through the 2022 Spring Speaker Series

Resources

Bob Bowles’ Planting Gardens for Pollinators
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Native Plants

I notice geese land and settle on roofs in a way I haven't seen before. Why is this happening?

As geese are moved away from their favourite food and shelter sources, they're expected to look for new areas to take up residency. As the program continues, the expectation is there will be fewer resident geese searching for an area to call home.

Additional information and resources about Canada Geese

Government of Canada Resources

Legislation Governing Goose Management

For more information about the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Damage or Danger Permits, please contact:

Canadian Wildlife Services, Ontario Region
335 River Road
Ottawa, ON K1V 1C7
Telephone: 613-990-8355
Fax: 613-990-8400
Email