Exurban development, consisting of low density residential housing in a rural setting, is steadily increasing in North America. This increase may have negative impacts on the habitat for some species, through the introduction of non-native plants and new predators such as house cats. The northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is listed as Endangered in Canada occurring only in southwestern Manitoba. The objectives of this study included: a) defining prairie skink microhabitat use on private land according to vegetation, temperature and cover availability, b) determining landowner awareness of prairie skinks on their property, and c) determining how landowner stewardship could be used in skink conservation. Mixed methods strategy of inquiry was utilized and data collection procedures included both quantitative habitat surveys and qualitative landowner interviews. I found that prairie skinks were most often found in prairie habitat, and were found most often in areas with a) high percent artificial cover, b) high leaf litter, and c) more pieces of cover per acre. Landowners most often saw skinks near buildings, in flower beds and in debris piles. Landowner attitudes towards skinks were positive,though willingness may not translate into action.

Exurban development, consisting of low density residential housing in a rural setting, is steadily increasing in North America. This increase may have negative impacts on the habitat for some species, through the introduction of non-native plants and new predators such as house cats. The northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is listed as Endangered in Canada occurring only in southwestern Manitoba. The objectives of this study included: a) defining prairie skink microhabitat use on private land according to vegetation, temperature and cover availability, b) determining landowner awareness of prairie skinks on their property, and c) determining how landowner stewardship could be used in skink conservation. Mixed methods strategy of inquiry was utilized and data collection procedures included both quantitative habitat surveys and qualitative landowner interviews. I found that prairie skinks were most often found in prairie habitat, and were found most often in areas with a) high percent artificial cover, b) high leaf litter, and c) more pieces of cover per acre. Landowners most often saw skinks near buildings, in flower beds and in debris piles. Landowner attitudes towards skinks were positive,though willingness may not translate into action.

In Canada, the endangered prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) exists only in southwestern Manitoba. Habitat loss is the most significant threat faced by the prairie skink in Canada, with leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) invasion identified as one of the suspected factors contributing to habitat loss. The objectives of this study were to determine microhabitat preferences and effect of leafy spurge on prairie skinks in southwestern Manitoba. To determine microhabitat preferences, occupied sites were compared to unoccupied sites. Artificial cover was identified as the most important microhabitat element. To determine the impacts of spurge on microhabitat, ground temperatures in invaded were compared to un-invaded sites. No significant differences in temperature or skink density were observed between invaded and un-invaded site; however, skinks were more likely to use spurge when cover was present, than when no cover was present. Artificial cover may improve microhabitat by providing refuge from predators and microhabitat for prey.

In Canada, the endangered prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) exists only in southwestern Manitoba. Habitat loss is the most significant threat faced by the prairie skink in Canada, with leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) invasion identified as one of the suspected factors contributing to habitat loss. The objectives of this study were to determine microhabitat preferences and effect of leafy spurge on prairie skinks in southwestern Manitoba. To determine microhabitat preferences, occupied sites were compared to unoccupied sites. Artificial cover was identified as the most important microhabitat element. To determine the impacts of spurge on microhabitat, ground temperatures in invaded were compared to un-invaded sites. No significant differences in temperature or skink density were observed between invaded and un-invaded site; however, skinks were more likely to use spurge when cover was present, than when no cover was present. Artificial cover may improve microhabitat by providing refuge from predators and microhabitat for prey.