UMATR Committee Meeting - Wood Turtle Conservation in Working Landscapes Winter Seminar

Wood Turtle Conservation in Working Landscapes

Up to 9 inches long with bright orange skin, the seemingly conspicuous Wood Turtle is remarkably secretive, and most people never see one in the wild. Foraging extensively on land, Wood Turtles can be found great distances from the rivers where they overwinter, but with so many river valleys crossed by roads and used for agriculture, many are crushed by cars and machinery. Wood Turtle numbers are dwindling and this iconic species may not survive in many landscapes without careful planning to keep these turtles out of harm's way. Knowing how to identify their habitat, understanding the threats they face, and how to blend Wood Turtle management into working farms are the first steps to protecting this important species in Northern Vermont and will be the topic of February's guest speaker presentation.