Every Turtle Counts: New Initiative Supports Local Turtle Conservation
- Benee Hershon
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
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: Spotted, Blanding, and Wood turtles.
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.
While statewide research is being conducted to understand the impact on statewide turtle populations, there is a gap in data and initiatives to support turtle populations in the Monadnock Region.
The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) is pleased to announce the development of a regional turtle conservation initiative. Partners collaborating on the effort are the NH Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC), the Harris Center for Conservation Education, the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the NH Department of Environmental Services, and Moosewood Ecological.
This exciting initiative seeks to support research identified strategies for supporting turtle populations and by increasing turtle literacy throughout our region and beyond.
On this initiative, Barbara Richter, Executive Director of the NH Association of Conservation Commissions, shared,
“The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) is excited to participate in the Cheshire County Turtle Conservation Initiative to help identify turtle habitat and create a plan to protect and restore natural areas before it is too late. As a partner in this Initiative, we look forward to working with The Harris Center for Conservation Education, CCCD, and NH Fish & Game to focus on habitat protection to ensure turtles will thrive in Cheshire County. Conservation commissions can play a key role in both volunteering for this effort as well as encouraging other town officials to participate. NHACC plans to educate and inform conservation commissions members about the need for turtle conservation and to encourage commission members to participate in established data gathering efforts including the roadkill monitoring NH Fish & Games Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP)”.
The conservation initiative will focus on four parts:
Offer a series of free educational workshops open to the public with the goal of raising awareness of the threats of local turtle populations and what municipalities, conservation partners, and community members can do to support conservation efforts.
The initiative will also conduct a regional wetland-road crossing assessment through the consulting services of Moosewood Ecological.
Complete a road mortality monitoring assessment in Cheshire County. Data collected through the assessments will be utilized to inform statewide and regional turtle conservation planning efforts, as well as supporting data collection and research efforts through the NH Fish & Game Department's Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP).
Facilitate increase data reporting by Cheshire County residents through promotion of Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP), coordinated by the NH Fish and Game (NHF&G) Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program.
Education will be critical in supporting existing turtle populations in our region. On the importance of conserving turtles, Brett Amy Thelen, Science Director of the Harris Center for Conservation Education shared,
"As long-lived species with low reproductive rates, turtles are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss, poaching, roadkill, and other threats. Losing even one wild adult turtle can have a negative impact on local turtle populations. Every turtle counts -- and we all have a role to play in ensuring their survival."
The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) is excited to have both staff and board members involved in this project! Amy Bodwell, Vice Chair of the CCCD Board of Directors shared,
“Like all wildlife, turtles face threats, often from car collisions. But I saw an opportunity to help these amazing creatures by joining CCCD and their partners in their turtle initiative. I became even more engaged with these critters as every summer I watch the same snapping turtle leaving the pond, hiking up the hill, through the meadow, to her hopeful nesting sites. Sometimes she nests and the hatchings are incredible to watch bursting from the earth and taking the same journey back to the pond. I feel if I can help in any small way to protect turtles, I am excited to try”.
The initiative will also conduct a regional road crossing assessment through the consulting services of Moosewood Ecological. Data collected through the assessment will be utilized to inform statewide and regional turtle conservation planning efforts, as well as supporting data collection and research efforts through the NH Fish & Game Department's Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP).
Josh Megyesy, Wildlife Biologist of the Wildlife Division – Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) stated,
“Cheshire County is underrepresented in the NHFG at-risk turtle distribution maps. This initiative will help the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program spread the word about the importance of reporting observations and help fill in the gaps. NHFG relies on public observations to inform locations to survey, areas to support land conservation, and the environmental review process. Reporting turtles on roadways is especially important as it helps us identify crossing hotspots where turtle roadkill is high so that funding can be directed to improve crossing areas and upgrade old, non-wildlife friendly culverts. Cheshire County has regional conservation priority areas for at-risk turtles identified through standardized biological monitoring, highlighting the need for conservation action, outreach, and volunteer effort. The NHFG has one turtle biologist to cover the entire state. This initiative will help fill in the gaps and get boots on the ground where it is critically needed”.
Educational workshops will be offered through 2026 and workshops kick-off this spring!
Turtles of New Hampshire & How You Can Help
When: Apr 29, 2025, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Online, Zoom
Join NH Fish and Game wildlife biologist Josh Megyesy for an introduction to turtle conservation in the Granite State. We’ll explore the ecology of at-risk species, habitat use, threats, and conservation actions developed through long-term population monitoring. Josh will also discuss how to identify turtle habitat, the impact of road mortality on turtles, strategies to reduce roadkill, land protection efforts, and what landowners can do to help. Register here!
Turtle Transport Volunteer Training
When: May 13, 2025, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Online, Zoom
From spring through fall, turtles must leave the safety of the water to search for mates, nest sites, and seasonal habitat; while on land, they face many dangers, including cars, pets, and mowers. Thankfully, turtles are also resilient and can recover from injuries with proper care. NH Turtle Rescue, whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and preserve New Hampshire’s wild turtles — relies on a team of volunteer “turtle transporters” to get ill and injured turtles into their care as quickly as possible, and more helpers are always needed. This volunteer training will cover everything you need to know to join the turtle transport team, including how to safely handle wild turtles, what to keep in your turtle rescue kit, and how it all works. Don’t miss this chance to become a turtle hero! Register here!
More information on upcoming events can be viewed here!
This project was made possible by the NH State Conservation Committee Conservation Moose Plate Grant Program.