Turtle time: Volunteers needed for nesting beach clean up

Oct. 1, 2022  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

A spiny softshell turtle hatchling. Spiny softshell turtles are listed as threatened on Vermont’s threatened and endangered species list. VT Fish & Wildlife photo

It’s that time of year again when the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife puts out a call for volunteers for its annual spiny softshell turtle beach cleanup day. 

This year it will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, starting at North Hero State Park at 10 a.m. with a second cleanup afterward in Swanton. 

Volunteers are needed to pull vegetation on nesting beaches to prepare turtle nesting sites for next year, according to the department announcement. They may also find a few hatchlings that occasionally remain in nests underground this late in the year.

In addition to threatened spiny softshell turtles, wildlife biologists say that these nest sites are also used by map turtles, painted turtles, and snapping turtles. 

State wildlife biologist Toni Mikula will have hatchling spiny softshell and other turtles on hand and will talk about the department’s long-term turtle recovery efforts. Some of these hatchling turtles will be raised in captivity by the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain while they are small and most vulnerable to predation. They will be released back into Lake Champlain next spring.

“This is a great way to help conserve threatened wildlife right here in Vermont,” Mikula said.  “It’s also a fun way to learn more about the turtles and to see some recently hatched baby turtles.”

Volunteers should dress in layers and bring water, work gloves, a leaf rake, short-handled tools such as trowels, and their own lunch. Some hand tools will be provided, but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Families and kids are welcome. The cleanup may run until 4 p.m., although participants can spend as much time as they would like. 

Organizers expect a good turnout. “This has turned into a very popular annual event for people interested in conservation,” Mikula added.  “We’re always glad to see so many people care about wildlife.”

Find details on North Hero State Park including directions online. For more information, email Toni.Mikula@vermont.gov.

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