State seeks volunteers to conserve turtle nesting sites
Wildlife officials are looking for volunteers to help a creature listed as threatened in Vermont: the spiny softshell turtle.
A spiny softshell turtle hatchling looks out into the world. The state is looking for volunteers to help prepare nesting areas for this threatened creature. (VF&W Photo by Tom Rogers)
Wildlife officials are looking for volunteers to help a creature listed as threatened in Vermont: the spiny softshell turtle.
People are invited to join the Fish and Wildlife Department’s annual beach cleanup day, which prepares turtle nesting sites for next year. It takes place on Saturday, Oct. 16, and gives people a way to help conserve Vermont’s spiny softshell population. Loss of nesting sites through shoreline changes and development is a key reason this turtle is threatened in Vermont.
On cleanup day, participants are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. at North Hero State Park (directions below). After finishing at North Hero, the group will carpool to another site in Swanton.
Volunteers will pull up vegetation on nesting beaches to prepare the nesting sites. They may also find a few hatchlings that occasionally remain in nests underground this late in the year, officials said. In addition to spiny softshell turtles, these nest sites are also used by map turtles, painted turtles and snapping turtles.
State biologist Toni Mikula will have hatchling spiny softshell and other turtles on hand and will talk about the long-term turtle recovery efforts. Some of these hatchling turtles will be raised in captivity by the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain while they are small and most vulnerable to predation, according to the state. They will be released back into Lake Champlain next spring.
“This is a great way to help conserve threatened wildlife right here in Vermont,” Mikula said in a statement. “It’s also a fun way to learn more about the turtles and to see some recently-hatched baby turtles.”
Participants are asked to dress in layers of warm clothes and to bring water, work gloves, a leaf rake, short-handled tools such as trowels, and their own lunch. Families and kids are welcome. The cleanup may run until 4 p.m., although participants can choose how long to assist.
“This has turned into a very popular annual event for people interested in conservation,” Mikula said. “We’re always glad to see so many people care about wildlife.”
To get to North Hero State Park, follow Route 2 north past Carry Bay in North Hero. Take a right on Lakeview Drive, just before Route 2 swings west toward Alburgh. Follow Lakeview Drive almost to the end until you reach the North Hero State Park entrance sign on the left. Drive to the end of the road always bearing right.
For more information, please contact Mikula at Toni.Mikula@vermont.gov.
— Gareth Henderson
Notice: This event is outdoors and there is enough space for social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Some hand tools will be provided but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own.
Volunteers help during a previous beach cleanup day in Vermont to help spiny softshell turtles. (VF&W Photo by Tom Rogers)