By fragmenting the western end of Cootes Paradise with a four lane highway (Cootes Drive 1936) and McMaster parking (1969), car drivers gain at the expense of intact habitat for a multitude of species. Road kill on Cootes accounts for a severe threat to the survival of at risk species, and perhaps none so glaringly as the slow moving turtles who inhabit the remnant marsh.
A local volunteer group has, for the last few years, formed to assist the turtles and increase awareness, and (hopefully) survival rates.
Please consider giving some of your time to the turtles of Cootes Paradise.
April 2012
Turtles will begin to move
from their wintering sites in late May and their peak nesting period is
mid-June. Dundas Turtle Watch identifies, monitors and rescues turtles
at risk from traffic, and protects nests from predation wherever possible.
The group
is looking for people with
a digital camera who are prepared to volunteer regularly, for
approximately 2 hours week, plus some record keepin…
Comments
I attended the history hike today and I am so very happy I did. The knowledge that you and Daniel Coleman conveyed about the Cootes Paradise Watershed inspired me to more thoroughly engage with the local history and "a sense of place" in addition to the science to advocate for changes to preserve the marsh and improve water quality.
Thank you so much!
Caroline Hill Smith