It is not all fun and games when we are trying to help
turtles. But it sure is nice when you spend a day with people who have a genuine interest in their well being.
This was a fabulous day with (l-r) HRM Councilor Paul
Russell, HRM Councilor Lisa Blackburn, and Ecology Action Centre-- Wilderness
Outreach Coordinator, Karen McKendry!
Karen managed to "herd the cats", and get us all
together. We then did a four stop tour within the city limits where
construction work has had both positive and negative impacts on Snapping Turtle
nesting areas.
We started out at Red Bridge Pond and covered off the
history of the site, which we here at the Turtle Patrol deem to be a victory. Then
we moved on to two sites on Cobequid Road where an intermediate solution was
developed with Turtle Patrol and the City contributions. We ended our
"tour" at a spot on Windgate Drive in Beaverbank where the reuse of
asphalt on road shoulders resulted in the loss of not only 5 active nests, but
nesting area forever.
Karen and I very much anticipate that future situations like
this can be avoided with just a little communication between groups.
We here at the Turtle Patrol would very much like to thank Paul, Lisa, and Karen for their time, attention, and support!
Paul T
