Submitted by Chloe Robinson, Nature Conservancy of Canada
With the warmer months upon us, turtles across the peninsula are once again on the move. This World Turtle Day (May 23), the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and our partners are exploring new ways to keep turtles safely off the road and protect these threatened species.
This summer with the support of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, NCC will build artificial nesting sites on conserved land on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula to give turtles an option to nest at a safe distance from the road. Nesting sites like these, consisting of a mound of sand and gravel piled near a wetland, have been built across the province in efforts of keeping adult turtles off roads and giving hatchlings a better chance at survival.
Turtles are very important to the health of the environment. As an indicator species, they maintain water quality, disperse seeds and help keep their ecosystem in balance by acting as both predators and prey in the food chain.
However, road mortality is one of the biggest threats to turtles across the province and in southern Ontario, where roads are hard to avoid. On average, roads can be found across the landscape every one to two kilometres, except within some larger conserved areas. Female turtles are often forced to cross roads while searching for suitable nesting sites. The warm, loose gravel beds along roadsides and unpaved roads can be popular nesting sites for turtles. In fact, in the past two years, local volunteers have recorded more than 35 nests along a 50-metre stretch of a road.
Nesting near roads is very dangerous. Female turtles can be hit while crossing roads or laying eggs. Meanwhile, nests can be crushed by cars and exposed to pollution, and are more susceptible to predation because many animals travel along roadsides. If eggs do hatch, emerging turtles will have to navigate traffic to safely reach their wetland habitats.
With all of Ontario’s eight turtle species at risk provincially or federally, every individual turtle counts! It takes up to 20 years for turtles to reach maturity, and the survival rate of turtle eggs is very low. According to the Lake Huron Coastal Centre, only about one in 1,000 eggs survive to adulthood.
Artificial nesting sites will give nesting turtles and their offspring the protection they need when they’re at their most vulnerable. This simple solution will have a positive impact on our local turtle populations and contribute to ensuring their survival on the peninsula for generations to come.
Projects like this showcase how NCC is accelerating the pace of conservation in Canada. Conserving and restoring nature helps ensure healthy futures for wildlife and people, bolstering our ability to thrive in a changing world – nature makes it possible.
Want to help?
Check out these resources to learn more about NCC, turtle conservation and how you can get involved:
• Rescuing roadside reptiles: https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/blog/archive/steering-clear-of-turtles.html
• Saugeen Bruce Peninsula Natural Area: https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/ontario/our-work/natural-areas/northern-bruce-peninsula-natural-area.html
About NCC
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner, NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
