Uncategorized

Join us on Tuesdays and Fridays starting July 20th to September 3rd.

Learn how to help our shelled friends.  Turtles are the most interesting and mystifying animals - they navigate using earth magnetics and the sun, know where they are going, hibernate within 1 metre of the previous years, live for hundreds of years, are able to shed tears, feel through their shells, become male or female depending on temperatures, and more...

Turtles at Two will be livestreamed on Facebook each week. Join us by following us @TurtleGuardians.

At The Land Between we have wonderful staff members and volunteers who dedicate their time to protecting the region’s turtles. Today I am going to give you a sneak peek into what a day in the life of a field technician looks like. It’s different every day, and the name of the survey game is flexibility!

What We Do:

Conservation technicians work in pairs 5 days a week and conduct road surveys and wetland surveys. Essentially, we are looking for turtles, frogs, and snakes. “Ewww” for most people, but fun for us because we are very dedicated to this work. For road surveys, we drive slowly along roads with high turtle mortality rates. When we are driving and come across a wetland, we will safely pull over and walk along that wetland looking for turtles, frogs, and snakes.

Start time:

Our survey schedule depends on weather and temperature. If it’s not raining, we start around 4:30. If it is a rainy morning then we will head out at 8 am and if it continues to rain throughout the day, we take a late afternoon break and then go out surveying again. Sometimes we have been out until 2 am with nesting turtles. These are very long days for us, but we know the work is important so we do it gladly.  If the temperature reaches below 12 degrees turtles won’t be out so if a day is ever that cold, we usually spend it catching up on data entry or writing blog articles like this one.

What we do when we find a turtle:

If the turtle is on the road, we will pull over safely and then help it cross the road in the direction it was moving to…unless it is nesting. If nesting, when the turtle is finished she usually heads back to the wetland from where she came.

If the turtle is basking on the side of the road we will first make sure that it isn’t nesting. When a turtle is nesting you must never bother it because it could get spooked and might not finish laying.

If we find a nesting turtle, we will stay with it until it is done (Hence, the 2 am nights mentioned earlier.) Once the mother is done we will weigh and measure her and then excavate the nest. We have received specialized training in

excavation and TLB has permits to excavate nests.

Turtle processing:

When we find a turtle that is not nesting or finished nesting we will weigh them, give them a special name, measure the carapace (upper shell) and plastron (lower shell), then we take a photo with a special code including the turtles’ name, age/sex, action (i.e. basking/traveling), and the date of capture. We will also write 2021 on their plastron so we know if we ever get a recapture.  If you ever find a turtle with 2021 on it contact us at The Land Between. Once we are done processing the turtle, we will release it back in the direction it was going but safely off the road- and again, it if was nesting, we help her to the wetland behind her.  Otherwise, after the turtle is moved, we will watch the turtle until we are certain it isn’t going to head back onto the road.

Our staff is vigilant in sanitizing equipment between each turtle we process to ensure diseases won’t be spread.

Sometimes we get calls from members of the public when they see a turtle on the road or nesting and

if one of our teams is close by, they will head over to help.

Whenever we find a nesting turtle it is very exciting. Especially when it is a Blanding’s turtle since they are a more threatened species. If we find a turtle that has just started nesting it means we may be watching it for a few hours. The turtle needs to pick a spot they like, dig deep enough to lay her eggs, and then cover it back up. When the turtle is done laying, we will capture her and process her and then we will excavate the eggs. Turtle eggs are usually predated within the first 24 hours of laying. We excavate eggs in high risk areas such as roadsides or driveways, to help avoid predations, giving them a much higher rate of survival. Also because the hatchlings can be released where they were laid, but we can help ensure they can avoid being injured on the roads or eaten by predators by bringing them to the nearest wetland/water area.

Once a team has completed their route they will head back to The Land Between headquarters (if their route is close by) where we have an incubator set up to keep the turtle eggs. The eggs will be transferred carefully to a container with vermiculite, weighed, then put safely into the incubator. All data, including the nest ID, coordinates of the nest location, and details are recorded carefully.

Once the hatchlings start emerging in August, the team who excavated the nest has the privilege of releasing the hatchling back to the closest wetland to where they were found. Also, we call anyone who helped us save the nest to be witness to the release. So cute!

Every day is different. Some days may be slower and end at 10 pm and some may be longer and end at 2 am. We let the turtles determine that and we are good with that.

If you would like to learn more or become a Turtle Guardian you can visit the Turtle Guardian website here https://www.turtleguardians.com/the-land-between-ontarios-turtle-country/

Written by: Nadia Pagliaro, Conservation Technician

It is that season! Here are some tips to help you spot and therefore help turtles on roads:

Turtle Guardians celebrates the first billboard to raise awareness about the vulnerability of turtles in Ontario. The "It Takes 60 Years to Replace One" message alerts drivers, that may not have understood, the length of time it takes until one egg succeeds to reach adulthood in the overall population. Ancestors had the mistaken idea that turtles were as prolific and abundant as rodents, and that they could reproduce as quickly, but we now know that this is simply not true. In fact, turtles may be one of the very few species that has such a low recruitment rate and therefore who take the longest to be replaced in nature- thus the reason turtles need to live to such old ages, likely beyond 275 years old. Therefore each one, and especially the adults and adult females that are crossing roads to nesting sites, are precious. The first billboard went up in May on Highway 62, south of Bancroft and north of Madoc. This highway is renowned for high turtle mortality, with fast cars and transport trucks. However, this highway is also fairly straight and flat, allowing motorists to see turtles ahead and avoid them. We are now raising money to install more billboards in other key areas across Ontario. Help us by donating through our GoFundMe Campaign

It can take up to 60 years for one turtle to be replaced in nature. Turtles are keystone species that support entire ecosystems- and also the fish and wildlife within them.   Turtles cannot be relocated to new areas to repopulate areas as they imprint their home ranges when they are hatchlings and they cannot remake these "mind maps" of their feeding, hibernation and mating sites. When turtles travel in their home ranges, the younger turtles are eating carrion and other protein which helps to keep water free of harmful pathogens, and the older turtles are consuming seeds and vegetation, so as they walk to the next destination, they spread seeds which grow into new fish nurseries and habitats for wildlife. Without turtles in our environments, our health and wellbeing are at risk. Turtle populations are declining at unprecedented and unsustainable rates- It is estimated that more than 50% of turtles have been lost in Ontario already.  The major threat to turtles is road traffic and resulting injury or mortality. This summer Turtle Guardians are partnering with Peterborough and Haliburton County Road Departments to enable volunteers to monitor high mortality/road-crossing areas; and assist turtles in trouble, in these zones...saving essential species in our communities while building skills to help turtles everywhere! Training, including turtle ecology, safety protocols, identification, and safe-handling skills will be provided to volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please complete this form. Thank you for your interest

Phragmites australis australis, otherwise known as European Common Reed or Invasive Phragmites, is a fast-spreading, perennial aquatic grass found growing in wetlands, shorelines and roadside ditches. This aggressive plant crushes biodiversity by outcompeting our native plants. In 2005, Invasive Phragmites was named Canada’s worst invasive plant species by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.

What Does It Look Like?

Invasive Phragmites is a tall (up to 5 meters), densely growing grass. It has broad, flat, blue-green leaves and purple-yellow plumes (flowers) that grow on the end of each stalk. Stalks produced in previous years are brown-yellow and stay standing for many years after they die. For more information on how to identify Invasive Phragmites, as well as information on how to distinguish Invasive Phragmites from the closely related native Phragmites, visit the Phrag Fighter page of our website and watch the Invasive Phragmites Surveying webinar.

Where Is It Found?

Invasive Phragmites can be found all across Ontario, with stands reported as far north as Sudbury. Check out this EDDMapS Ontario map for a snapshot of its distribution across Ontario (and the rest of North America).

How Does It Spread?

According to the NCC, Invasive Phragmites spread by nearly 30% between 2010 and 2017 in Ontario. This figure is likely an underestimate, as Phragmites stands are known to be underreported in regions such as The Land Between.

Invasive Phragmites spreads easily to new areas through both seed (2000+ seeds per flower) and rhizome (underground horizontal stem) fragment dispersal (Short et al. 2017). The plant’s rhizomes often become damaged as a result of improper maintenance techniques. The fragments are then spread by the wind, animals, or human movement (cars, shoes, etc.).

New stands of Invasive Phragmites often establish first in disturbed areas such as roadside ditches or recent construction sites, and then spread quickly into nearby, less disturbed areas such as lake shorelines and wetlands (Short et al. 2017).

Why is it a Problem?

Invasive Phragmites is a problem for several reasons.

First, it has detrimental impacts on biodiversity and the natural environment. Establishment of the invasive grass in an area often results in the elimination of most other plant, animal and insect species. The aggressive plant outcompetes most all native plants, producing dense stands that make areas completely unsuitable for the turtles, amphibians, birds and other animals that depend on beech, wetland and shoreline habitats.

Further, the rhizomes (root systems), which account for the majority of the mass of the plant (up to 80%), can grow to be so large and so dense that they block water channels, and slow or redirect runoff, increasing the risk of flooding in some areas (Short et al. 2017)

Invasive Phragmites also poses a significant threat to human health and well-being. Able to grow as tall as 5 meters, Invasive Phragmites can block driver site lines along roadways, and ruin aesthetic lakefront views. The plant can also grow to be so dense that it blocks waterfront access, impeding recreational activities such as boating, swimming and fishing. It also has a significant impact on the economy, with Ontario municipalities collectively spending an average of nearly $3 million per year on Invasive Phragmites management (Vyn 2019).

How Can You Help?

Invasive Phragmites is an undeniable threat, and we here at The Land Between want to do everything in our power to minimize the devastating effects of this invasive species in our region. But we need your help.

Phrag Fighters is a volunteer community science program designed to collect information on where stands of Invasive Phragmites are located across The Land Between, and to remove select stands using manual, accessible methods. By registering as a Phrag Fighter, you will be part of an amazing team of volunteers dedicated to protecting their home, or home away from home, from Invasive Phragmites.

What’s Involved?

The Phrag Fighter program has two parts: Surveying and Removal. Surveying involves reporting and mapping Phragmites stands in an assigned area of The Land Between using either the EDDMapS Ontario mobile app, or provided field sheets. Removal involves cutting one or more stands of Phragmites (according to the specific technique), and properly disposing of the stalks. Each stand will be cut three times throughout the season, once per month from June to August. You can choose to participate in surveying, removal, or both!

Sound like this might be for you? Visit our website to find out more about the Phrag Fighter program or to register as a volunteer. Once you are registered, you can sign up for one of our live, online training webinars. Dates and details are available here.

Sources:

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/ontario/our-work/stewardship/fighting-phragmites.html#:~:text=Other%20areas%20at%20risk,cent%20between%202010%20and%202017.&text=In%202017%2C%20over%2020%2C000%20square,on%20conservation%20and%20private%20land

https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Final-Report-2019-Survey-Results-No-Appendix-A.pdf

https://www.opwg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Summer-2017-Phrag-Research-Report-Humber.compressed.pdf

Since the beginning of human record, people have been creating artwork based on their natural surroundings. From cave paintings of wild animals to complexly rendered landscape paintings, we have explored our long and dynamic relationship with land, plants and wildlife. There seems to be no end to our revelry for the beauty of a sunset or the power of a tiger. We are connected to place often through nature and wildlife and our experiences of them.  Artistically expressing the beauty of nature gives everyone something to be see and be excited about. But could art do more for humans and wildlife than visual stimulation and celebration? How can wildlife and public art create stronger communities?

For several years, I have been painting murals across Ontario, working with communities to foster local pride with artwork that reflects local history, stories and ecology. Painting a mural is performative work. As my team and I paint, we are often (happily) interrupted by onlookers who wish to express their joy and wonder about our work. Locals pass by and want to share their stories and experiences in the neighbourhood as well as their passion for art. These exchanges should never be taken for granted. As a community comes together to share, relationships and connections are made over two commonalities: the artwork, and the place. The experience of sharing their story and watching the work evolve leads to a sense of ownership and participation that connects people to the work, deepening the connection to place and community. Public murals reach audiences beyond the art galleries and the sometimes “superior” air that accompanies “high art”. Murals are for everyone and they present messages to all who see them.

My murals aim to beautify and unite communities.  I have painted everything from folklore dragons in Chinatown, to historical stories of colonialism in Port Union. Also, I restore murals. After preparing the surface to restore a 20-year-old heritage mural, I can testify to value of a mural in a community, because as the old, peeling paint is scraped away, those passing by begin to frantically ask questions…”You’re not painting over this are you?”  “What is happening here?!” The relief when I explain otherwise, is evident and often followed by expressions of gratitude: “It’s my favourite stop on this street…I walk past it every day to work”.

Like the murals that draw people in, natural spaces also unite communities with a positive bond.  The happy spaces of the wild draw people of all walks of life. Like art, we can experience a range of emotions amidst wild spaces; from peace and tranquility to a rush of excitement. The sights and colours in the wild areas are a gateway to a deeply personal experience.  The memory of a hike includes the physical labour, the act of discovery, the time shared with others or the insight gained from the experience. Nature is enjoyed by a larger spectrum of senses than the eyes; and the memory of the experience is what ties us to a place.

Therefore, both individually and better together, art and nature can unite people by connecting them to the land, wildlife, community, and memories to create a shared sense of belonging. The key factor behind the creation of community is shared experience. Each community is unique. It is critical that people understand and celebrate their distinctiveness.

As I developed the Turtle Guardians mural in Haliburton, the positive community impacts were evident before the mural had even been completed. As people joined together over coffee and lunch at Baked and Battered, dozens of people stopped daily to talk with me about the large snapping turtle I was painting on the side of the restaurant. They shared with me their experiences with turtles, where they live, their love for wildlife and the Haliburton area. The mural was joining community members together by sharing stories and common experiences. As they watch the mural develop, and chat with me, they become a part of the process. They share a piece of the monument. Having learned a thing or two about the gentleness and vulnerability of snapping turtles, many were eager to become more involved with the turtle and habitat conservation efforts by the Turtle Guardians program of the Land Between charity. The painting had sparked the interest of nature lovers to engage further with wildlife and their local community. However, a bigger win was the consideration and new perspectives that were generated from the process and painting; individuals who previously misunderstood snapping turtles as dangerous or worthless, now saw them in their true light as iconic invaluable animals. The mural serves to illustrate and testify that wildlife and community are one in the same; that both are dependent on people working to preserve these assets.

Article and Artwork by Stacey Kinder

This past December, an Ojibwe translation of a popular children's’ book about a young boy helping turtles safely cross a busy road has been published by the Long Point Biosphere Reserve (LPBR).  The translation was a collaboration with the Ojibwe-speaking Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, whose Treaty Lands and traditional territory include the LPBR.

Entitled “Kaa Wiika Boontaake” (“Never Give Up”), the colorful book tells the story of little Johnny’s determination to protect his friend “Snapper” and other turtles from heavy traffic.  Written and illustrated by Long Point cottager Jan Everett, the story is based on her husband John’s efforts to save turtles along the Long Point Causeway, the unofficial gateway to the LPBR.

“Recognizing the significance of the turtle in Indigenous culture, we approached the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) to help us translate the book into Anishinaabemowin, the common language of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi peoples of the Three Fires Confederacy”, said LPBR president Rick Levick. An Ojibwe First Nation, the Mississaugas of the Credit have been allied to this Confederacy for more than 200 years.

The translation was done by James “Mawla” Shawana (Odawa/Pottawatomi from Wiikwemkoong First Nation), a language teacher at the Lloyd S. King Elementary School in the MCFN community near Hagersville, Ontario for the past 12 years.

“The Mississaugas of the Credit would like to thank the Long Point Biosphere Reserve for reaching out to our First Nation”, said Chief R. Stacey Laforme. “Our shared collaboration will allow students at the elementary school in our community to enjoy a special experience -- reading this popular children’s book in Anishinaabemowin.”

Chief Laforme added, “Collaborations such as these are small but important steps on the journey of reconciliation, miigwech (thank you).”

Since 2014, more than 3,500 English and French copies of the book have been sold with the proceeds supporting on-going maintenance of exclusion fencing and wildlife culverts that were installed along the Causeway to reduce road mortality of turtles and snakes including several Species at Risk.

“The story of Johnny and Snapper parallels the 10-year, $2.7 million effort by the Long Point community that reduced reptile deaths on the Causeway by nearly 80 per cent”, said Levick.  Details about this effort and the role of the LPBR are included in English at the end of the book.

Never Give Up was translated in 2019, the International Year of Indigenous Languages but publication was delayed due to the COVID 19 outbreak.

“We are honoured that our book "Never Give Up" can now be enjoyed in Anishinaabemowin. This truly is a book for children of all ages”, said author Jan Everett and husband John.

Plans are underway to launch the book with a virtual reading by author Jan Everett and translator James Shawana to the students of Lloyd S. King Elementary School.

The LPBR will be distributing free copies of Kaa Wiika Boontaake to other Anishinaabe communities across Ontario and offering it for sale at www.longpointbiosphere.com.

The Long Point Biosphere Reserve promotes research, monitoring, community outreach and education, partnerships, and projects that support the goals of biodiversity, conservation and sustainable communities in Norfolk County. We exchange information and work collaboratively with the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association, as well as other biosphere reserves in Canada and around the world.

The Mississaugas of the Credit are an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nation with 2,600 band members, of whom approximately 800 live on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation near Hagersville, Ontario. For more information please visit www.mncfn.ca.

Never Give Up is now available in the Turtle Guardians online store!