Page 2 - FEB2022

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Community
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
February 2022
TURTLE PRESERVATION
mittee to change their direc- tions could be difficult.
be more prepared and this will help preserve turtle popula- tions throughout the state.
digging their nest. This spring, we went down to see, and we found some active nesting going on, and there were a lot more nest sites a day later, and they grew day by day and then found a huge turtle lay- ing eggs.” After this, the ACC called New Hampshire Fish and Game and spoke to Josh Megyesy and David Carroll, a renowned naturalist, for some tips and advice.
“When people find some- thing that is special like this turtle nesting area, we have to try to protect it. Of course, we had to alert the public to keep off it, but sometimes, when people hear about amazing things like a turtle nesting site, they want to see and experi- ence it. So how would the com- mittee How would we handle situations like this? We have to do something to protect it,” Tuthill said.
When discussing further steps with Tuthill, she went on to say, “We’re looking forward to further the research of the Alexandria Bog and the envi- ronment surrounding it. We are excited for the community to learn about this turtle pres- ervation and research about the bog. In other exciting news, state biologists will be coming down to do a turtle inventory of Alexandria this spring!”
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“Josh came up within a few days and collaborated with Carroll to actually find out that Carroll himself had been to the same area 30 years ago, and there was a history of a turtle habitat,” Tuthill mentioned. “In fact, the area is a prime turtle habitat.” Once we discovered this information, the ACC knew they had to change their course of action for this bog. Josh and David had made multiple pre- sentations to the select board and the commission about these amazing habitats, but getting members of the com-
The Alexandria, NH Conser- vation Commission, wants to implement a complete change for this land. The committee will give all the details at the town meeting on January 19th to get their plan to the public. “We will be presenting signage to put up that tells the public that the area is a turtle nesting site and for people to stay off the premise.”
up in the fall. In general, the population is not too informed about the habits and needs of turtles. For example, tur- tles are harbingers for what is ahead. If there is a healthy tur- tle population, then that whole habitat is doing well. Unfortu- nately, worldwide turtle habi- tats are dwindling, so we need to keep them safe.” Tuthill also mentioned that there are some specific turtle populations who don’t reproduce until they are about 15-20 years of age, so if some turtles don’t reach that age, then that species are se- verely impacted. “It’s not just
a matter of protecting hatch- lings and nests. It’s also about protecting those turtles for full adulthood.”
People who are interested in learning more about the turtle habitats can contact NH Fish and Game at https://www.wild- life.state.nh.us/ or check out the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) at https://www. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ site/nh/home/
Landowners can also check out the NRCS’s programs to help them maintain turtle habitats. People can also contact the ACC through info@alexandriaNH. com with the subject “ACC” or reach Jennifer Tuthill directly ay 603-744-6883.
Tuthill explained the impor- tance of maintaining the turtle nesting habitat to me in great detail. “ Some turtles hatch un- derground and don’t come up until spring. And some come
The town meeting on Jan- uary 19th went well. The ACC presented all of this informa- tion to the public, and now the small area where the turtle habitat is will be closed to the public. It is officially a turtle preservation area, which hap- pens to be the first one in the state. And this will now serve as a starting off point for other communities to follow suit when they find other turtle habitats. The people will now