BOG TURTLE
THE SMALLEST U.S NATIVE FRESHWATER TURTLE
“No matter how few possessions you own or how little money you have, loving wildlife and nature will make you rich beyond measure.”
― Paul Oxton
PROTECTING THE BOG TURTLE
SO, WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA?
There is A Plan Afoot, but It Needs Money
Despite the temptation to become disheartened when we hear how little money the Fish and Wildlife Service is given, there is a plan in place to save these turtles, and where there’s a will, there is a way. The Recovery Plan for Bog Turtles involves legal action, and advanced monitoring. Here it is summarized below,
The federal recovery plan costs were calculated over the next 50 years, until the Bog Turtle would be delisted if all goes according to plan. (Klemens, 2001--all below)
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$234,000 to protect existing turtles using existing legislation
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$152,000 on long term protection of Bog turtle population
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$179,000 to survey past/present/future habitats
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$30,000 look into genetic variability
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$26,000 to reintroduce Bog Turtles into their past habitats
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$1,001,000 to manage and maintain existing habitats
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The plan aims to control ecological succession in Bog Turtle habitats, through pruning, selective removal, brush hog, fire, grazing, etc. The plan also involves invasive plants controls, such as manual removal, selective herbicide use, the introduction of insects (in NJ), and use of fire.
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$33,500 manage turtle pops at existing sites if necessary
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$1,745,000 worth of effective laws to stop trafficking
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$1,863,000 total
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financial benefits to preservation, poachers won’t be getting turtles, which could allow for more legal turtle collection, which would contribute to legitimate economy (speculation)
To see the full plan click HERE
Wix
STOP, IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!
In addition to a recovery plan, there are laws that protect the Bog Turtle. For instance, because the collection of these little guys is illegal, there is a $5,000 fine for each offense for poachers, which should be incentive enough for collectors to avoid Bog Turtles, because they have been known to sell for around $1200, which is significantly less than the cost of getting caught with one.
The Bog Turtle also benefits from the Working Lands for Wildlife, federal law, which is part of the Farm Bill, and to educate private landowners on how to sustainably manage their land (USDA, 2014). This is especially relevant to Bog Turtles seeing as the majority of their habitat is privately owned (90% in New Jersey, 97% in Maryland) (Klemens, 2001).
As you can see,
the Bog Turtle is a beloved species, and brave individuals
are fighting for its survival.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO SAVE THIS ADORABLE ANIMAL?
One of the main reasons for the Bog Turtle’s endangerment is due to the loss and fragmentation of its habitat, the invasion of non-native plants, and the loss of wetlands. Some actions that can be taken to preserve the Bog Turtle species are to reintroduce Bog Turtles to areas where they have been removed, manage the habitats, further enforce a law enforcement program to halt the commercialization of Bog Turtles. Examples of this would be putting groups of Bog Turtles back into areas where they used to be to reintroduce them to the environment. Another example would be to have a law enforcement program specifically dedicated to ensuring that endangered in certain areas aren’t hunted or poached thus reducing the risk of extinction. By implementing these actions, the government will be able to protect and preserve the habitat and population of the Bog Turtle species.
Seasonal bog, courtesy of Gary Peeples/USFWS, 2012.
WHO IS WORKING FOR THE TURTLES?
We live in a society that relies on money to get things done, and as much as we would like not to be a limitation, it surely is, and the endangered species act seems to be getting less funding every year. Something that we have direct control over though, is donating our money to reliable nonprofits who are working on the fronts of wildlife conservation.
Here are some nonprofits that are working to save the Bog Turtle, and they would love any donations you can spare. Click on their names to be redirected to our donations page.
Meet the Players...
The Midatlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation
The Midatlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation has a detailed action plan, and has performed population studies, determining status and viability of colonies, as well as facilitating the preservation of habitats alongside the NRCS and USFWS, specifically by offering conservation land easements to some private owners. MACHAC’s Wetlands Reserve Program has been instrumental to restoration, and has been successful in permanently protecting Bog Turtle habitats. MACHAC has also worked with funding granted by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission to do habitat restoration in Pennsylvania.
The Nature Conservancy
In 1989 The Nature Conservancy obtained a swath of land near South Mountain PA and has overseen its compatibility for Bog Turtles, including “managing burns, cutting trees, and introducing cattle and goat grazing” to promote native plant growth and keep the soil at the correct softness for the turtles. They also performed a radio telemetry study to find turtle location, as well as hibernation/travel patterns so that restoration efforts in the future can be more informed.
Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife partner with the Bog Learning Network, and work towards protecting mountain bogs and all of the species within them. Through that partnership they have embarked upon, “strategic intervention” to save bogs from development. Defenders of Wildlife have also been involved in Working Lands for Wildlife programs under the farm bill, which helps private landowners learn how to take care of their land in order to care for the species within them. Defenders of Wildlife also partners with the Wetland Forest Initiative to preserve critical wetland forest ecosystems, as a part of a 14 state coalition.
A Current Event
On January 9th, 2020 conservation groups in Oakland California filed a lawsuit challenging a loophole in the Obama-era legislation exempting wetlands from The Clean Water Act Protection. Under the Obama-era rule, wetlands can only be protected if they are placed within 4,000 feet of a stream or river. However, if a wetland is just one foot over the 4,000 foot line, it will not be protected, no matter its importance in their ecosystem. This loophole can open the door to more pollution in our wetlands, which will harm our drinking water, recreation, fisheries, the Bog Turtle, and other wildlife. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S Army Corps of Engineers finalized a rule in 2015 that defines which waterways can be protected against from being destroyed, degraded, or polluted without having a legal permit under the Clean Water Act. The EPA and U.S Army Corps of Engineers’ failed to ensure that their exceptions do not jeopardize the survival of hundreds of endangered species.
Bog Turtles are among the many species that depend on clean, functioning, and unpolluted waterways for their survival. Without wetlands, certain species of wild animals and humans too will suffer greatly. Like Annalisa Batanides Tuel said, “Clean water is the single most important resource for countless species, including humans,” without wetlands certain species and humans will suffer. They need our help to make a change! (SOURCE< YR)