For slow-moving species like turtles, getting across a roadway alive is a real challenge. And for species that live a long time but don’t reproduce until they’re quite old, losing just a few breeding adults annually can lead to a declining population, or even local extinction.
To help address this problem, beginning in 2018, citizen science volunteers are monitoring roadways around Maine to help identify which species of turtles are crossing where — and which road crossings are most hazardous to Maine’s turtles.
Participants in this project are trained in turtle species identification, road safety, and proper data collection methods. They are asked to survey routes that have been identified as sites where turtle crossings may be more likely, and to do so at least three times during the active season (May through September).
Training is free to the public, but registration is required. https://maineaudubon.coursestorm.com/maineaudubon/course/turtle-roadkill-survey-training3 or contact Hannah Young, hyoung@maineaudubon.org to register.