See western painted turtle hatchlings fresh from their nests on Earth Day!

This Earth Day, see newly emerged turtle hatchlings at Turtle Day in Cranbrook.

Visit Elizabeth Lake to learn about the western painted turtle’s life cycle and the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists to protect this Blue-listed, vulnerable species.

Turtle Day is hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), together with the Rocky Mountain Naturalists. This free, family event, that also includes other displays about the local environment, will be held on Wednesday, April 22, from 2:30 to 4.30 p.m.

There will be an opening welcome by Nasuʔkin Joe Pierre Jr.

A turtle nesting area at Elizabeth Lake is maintained by the Rocky Mountain Naturalists working with biologists for the Province of B.C., with funding from the FWCP. Fencing and maintained nesting areas help stop turtles from being run over as they cross the highway.

“Habitat loss due to human activities, road mortality, and introduced species have impacted the Southern Interior population of the western painted turtle,” said Jen Walker-Larsen, the FWCP’s Columbia Region manager. “The work of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists to provide safe nesting habitat and intervention for hatchlings is helping the FWCP conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds where we operate.”

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public interest holders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams. Turtle Day is also made possible with the support of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

Parking for Turtle Day is off Wattsville Road near the ballpark. Please leave your dogs at home! For more information about Turtle Day and other projects funded by the FWCP, visit fwcp.ca.

Photo submitted (Angus Glass photo)

Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program

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