WALPOLE, N.H. – The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) is pleased to announce the next workshops in the development of a regional turtle conservation initiative. Partners collaborating on the effort are the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC), the Harris Center for Conservation Education, the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and Moosewood Ecological.
Of the 356 species of turtles worldwide, approximately 61% are threatened or already extinct. The southwestern region of New Hampshire, specifically Cheshire County, is habitat to a wide range of turtle species, from stable populations to turtle populations at risk. At-risk species include the spotted turtle, the wood turtle, and Blanding’s turtle.
Local turtle populations are at risk in our region due to loss of habitat from development; mortalities from road crossings; and climate-related impacts on wetland habitats, nesting sites, and migratory corridors.
This exciting initiative seeks to support research-identified strategies for supporting turtle populations and by increasing turtle literacy throughout our region and beyond.
The first workshop, “Making Your Turtle Sightings Count,” will be held on Tuesday, May 12, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., via Zoom. It’s always exciting to encounter a turtle in the wild, but did you know that it’s also an opportunity to contribute to turtle conservation? Join New Hampshire Fish & Game turtle biologist Josh Megysey and Harris Center ecologist Nate Marchessault to learn how you can turn your turtle photos into data that can be used for research and conservation. Learn more and register at www.harriscenter.org/events/making-your-turtle-sightings-count.
The second workshop, “Land Management Practices for New Hampshire Turtles,” will be held Monday, June 8, from 3-5 p.m., at Reservoir Woods, 44 Reservoir Road in Walpole, N.H. Join us for a walking tour at Reservoir Woods, while learning about various turtle habitat management practices on the property, how they support turtle populations, and ways to implement practices on your property. Visit www.cheshireconservation.org/event-details/land-management-practices-for-new-hampshire-turtles-a-turtle-wildlife-workshop to learn more or register.
For more information, contact info@cheshireconservation.org or 603-904-3011.