Tiny Township is installing Turtle Crossing signs in critical habitat areas.
It is working to support turtle conservation in cooperation with Awenda Provincial Park.
The township says two “turtle crossing” signs have been placed on Allport Road while a second set bookends a section of Champlain Road between Seneca to Chippewa Crescents.
Tiny is home to five of Ontario’s eight turtle species, all of which are classified as Species at Risk in Canada and protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Urbanization and the destruction of wetlands pose the largest threat for turtle species. Moving between different habitat areas, especially during the May-June nesting season, is particularly risky for slow-moving turtles. Depending on the species, turtles will travel several metres (up to multiple kilometers!) to find a good nesting site, and usually must cross many roads to get there.
Road mortality has a large impact on turtle populations. Some turtle species do not reach maturity until age 25. With annual egg predation rates by raccoons, skunks and fox approaching 99 percent, the loss of any single adult can be a significant threat to local populations.
What you can do:
• Respect speed limits, drive slowly and give keep an eye out for turtles on the road. If you see a turtle, slow down and give it a wide berth when passing.
• If it is safe to do so, pull over and help the turtle cross the road. Always move a turtle in the direction it was going – otherwise it will keep trying to cross the street. Snapping Turtles should be approached with caution and ushered across the road using a stick or on a car mat (see here for safe techniques to help Snapping Turtles cross a road). Other turtles can be picked up by the sides and carried across the street.
• Record turtle sightings with a photo and submit them to the free app iNaturalist or send them to the Awenda Provincial Park’s Discovery Department at awenda@csolve.net.
The Township of Tiny has issued a Press Release regarding Turtle Crossing signs to support turtle conservation in cooperation with Awenda Provincial Park. To read the full details please see the link https://t.co/dyp7VEM2f1 or visit our “Newsroom” at https://t.co/KpzINago7X. pic.twitter.com/TNzJSiovvK
— Township of Tiny (@tinytownship) July 28, 2021
