LETTER TO THE - EDITOR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Danger - Turtle Crossing Ahead!

To the editor: We all need to watch for wildlife on the road, not just deer, but all wildlife, including turtles. Turtles have started to nest, and nesting and hatching will continue through the entire summer. Turtles will not stay near their nest like a bird, but they will be crossing roads and even digging nests and laying eggs in gravel roads. Roadkill is a major threat to local turtle populations. There are eleven kinds of turtles in Wisconsin with four species rare or endangered. The rarer species are especially found in protected areas with less development and traffic, like the Chequamegon National Forest, and along some public trails. For example, the mowing and trail maintenance schedules along the Pine Line Trail in Taylor County are modified to protect turtles.

The most important thing you can do, if you can do so safely, is to stop if you see a turtle on the road and help it cross in the direction it was going. If you encounter a snapping turtle, there are a few ways to safely help a snapper, but one way is to simply offer it a stick to bite down on, and pull it gently across the road.

Going beyond that basic help, you can report turtle observations - dead or alive and of any species - to the DNR Turtle Conservation program. These reports will affect future conservation efforts. For example, during road improvements, reports may influence the style and location of a culvert to make 'turtle crossings' safer.

For more information and to contribute to this “citizen science” effort, check out the DNR's Turtle Conservation website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wildlifehabitat/ TurtleConservation Scott Stalheim Meford