As the western painted turtles emerge from their brumation period, the Creston Valley welcomes back its shelled friends.
And with the emergence of the turtles, so too rises the chance of an unfortunate meeting with a vehicle tire.
As in years past, Wildsight is stepping up to build a turtle fence to keep the critters from getting too close to the road.
On May 4, the public is invited to attend the May 2024 Turtle Fence Work Bee, where they will be put to work building the turtle fences.
Melissa Flint, the project director and coordinator with the Wildsight Creston Valley Branch, says while the turtles prefer to remain in and around the water, they will travel to lay their eggs.
“Normally, they will go upslope from a pond, or a wetland, or a lake, wherever they’re living, and find a nice kind of soft gravel or sandy area where they can lay their eggs. And so these fences keep them from getting hit on the road, on the West Creston Road, essentially.”
She adds turtle fences create a small barrier that keeps the turtles from getting too close to the road.
“It’s a wired fence about two feet tall. It’s not very tall as turtles can’t jump. So, no problem there.”
Rebar is used to secure the fence into place.
Flint says she hopes to see a big turnout.
“If possible, we’re asking people to register in advance at the Wildsight website. It helps us prepare for the work so that we have enough tools and enough fencing. Anybody in the public can attend.”
She adds those hoping to attend will do well to bring some work gloves and dress for the weather.
The fence will stay up during the spring and summer and be taken down in the fall to allow for easy snow removal.
While the turtle fence will protect turtles along West Creston Road, Flint reminds drivers that other turtles are vulnerable.
“There are also turtles in other areas of the valley that we don’t have this mitigation in place. So, if you see a turtle in other areas, slow down and go around them. Hopefully, we don’t get too much turtle mortality in the next couple of months.”
Flint says turtles are most active around mid-May to mid-June, during their laying time.
The Turtle Fence Work Bee will start at 9 am and go until 11 am.
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