Turtle Crossing Project:
Some Background

QRWA launched Turtle Crossing, a new campaign to protect vanishing turtle species, during the first weekend in October, 2004. Volunteers performed a turtle sweep, or snap shot-style population survey, along the Tenmile River in Cheshire – a noted hotspot for rare turtles (read about the sweep). The success of the Turtle Crossing project, supported by a $12,500 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NFWF) "Bring Back the Natives" Program, hinges on QRWA's ability to enlist community volunteers from throughout the Quinnipiac watershed – Cheshire, Southington, Plainville, Meriden, Wallingford, North Haven, Hamden and New Haven – and beyond, to perform a survey of existing turtle populations in the area. QRWA's conservation strategy centers on promoting and facilitating teamwork between scientists and interested community members. Our new turtle project coordinator, Cheshire resident Tony Ianello, is training residents and municipalities to locate and protect eastern box turtles and wood turtles, both listed in Connecticut as "species of special concern".

Both eastern box and wood turtles fit two criteria for state listing. They spend much of their lives on undeveloped open lands, which are fast disappearing throughout South Central Connecticut, and their population levels are low. Sprawling residential and commercial development is decimating turtle populations. As they loose habitat to buildings and roads, too few young survive to adulthood, and too many adults are struck by cars. The basic biology of the box and wood turtles further complicates their ability to persist within a rapidly urbanizing region. Both species turtles mature slowly to reproductive age. Individuals may live to be 100 years old – a lifespan that surpassed that of most humans. QRWA has developed Turtle Crossing to garner the public's help to locate the existing turtle populations, and engage citizens in a campaign to teach their neighbors, developers and municipal planners to design landscapes that will protect turtle habitat. Otherwise, these ancient species will vanish from our area.

"I know that turtle populations are decreasing sharply," Ianello said in describing the need for the project. "I know they need to be protected on many fronts, such as: road kill reduction by marking road crossings; habitat protection; maintenance of population densities through public awareness and cooperation; and captive breeding/release programs." The two species need good habitat, sunny nesting sites, protection from autos and assistance navigating insurmountable street curbs.

The eastern box turtle is typically about 4-7 inches long, with a distinctive dome-like shell strongly patterned with black and yellow, orange or tan. The animal completely seals its shell when threatened. It lives in woodlands and meadows, utilizes woodland pools and wetlands to keep cool in summer, and hibernates in or near wetlands in winter.

The wood turtle, about 6-9 inches long, bears a grey-brown, dome-like shell, which is elongated and has a sculptured appearance compared with that of the box turtle. The animal's neck and front limbs are marked with red-orange. It is semi-terrestrial, foraging on land in summer and spending the winter in clean rivers and streams under tree roots, often in large groups.   Area residents are most likely to spot both box and wood turtles during their June nesting period as they travel overland to find a sunny site to lay their eggs.

QRWA is working with local residents to delineate the known nesting, foraging and hibernation areas as the first step towards the organization's goal of developing a plan to protect the remaining animals from disappearing in our region. With the information collected by citizens, the Turtle Crossing project will demonstrate to municipalities which roadways must be marked to reduce turtle mortality and identify the location of critical nesting habitat that is threatened by destruction. In addition, QRWA will train residents to protect nests from raids by raccoons and other predators.

Turtle advocates are invited and encouraged to attend all QRWA training sessions and field days. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult. Any area resident who observes turtles at any time, particularly box or wood turtles, should note the location and date and contact Debra Mason Meyday, QRWA Turtle Crossing Coordinator at turtlecrossingproject@yahoo.com or (203) 494-7610 or the QRWA office at qrwa@sbcglobal.net or (203) 237-2237.