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News Release 100 Whiting Avenue, Oshawa, ON, L1H 3T3 (905) 579-0411, fax (905) 579-0994 Release Date: Immediate Oshawa Water Supply Plant Has New Neighbours! The Oshawa Water Supply Plant is pleased to announce that thirteen female turtles, 12 snapping and 1 Midland painted turtle, have selected the supply plant’s construction site as their new nesting area. Located next to the Provincially Significant Pumphouse Marsh, the construction site provided ideal nesting conditions with fresh gravel and soil that the turtles could not resist. Regional staff and consultants of RH Construction Inspection Services noticed the turtles actively digging their nests and laying their eggs then contacted Central Lake Ontario Conservation (CLOCA) for assistance. CLOCA staff worked with the Region and RH Construction to place nesting protection structures on the nests to protect the eggs from predators until they hatch. A snapping turtle is getting Central Lake Ontario Conservation (CLOCA) has been actively ready to lay eggs at the monitoring and assessing turtle nesting activity throughout their Oshawa Water Supply Plant. jurisdiction since 2007 with support from Shell Environmental Foundation, Turtle S.H.E.L.L Tortue, partner municipalities, high school students, community volunteers and the Region of Durham. They have hosted information workshops, constructed and installed nesting protection structures, installed basking logs in wetlands, erected road signage, constructed nesting habitat and mapped nesting activity. “The collective awareness about turtles in our community has increased over the years”, says Warren Coulter, Environmental Engineering Analyst for CLOCA. “We really appreciate the Region of Durham and RH Construction staff for being environmentally responsible and taking action to help protect their new turtle neighbours.” Page 1 of 2 Page 2 of 2 During the month of June female turtles, typically snapping and Midland painted turtles, leave the Marsh in pursuit of a suitable nesting location. They look for well drained sand or gravel soil, and often find construction sites and roadside shoulders suitable to lay their eggs. Many people are surprised to see a turtle digging a hole and laying her eggs in these disturbed sites. “We know they visit the same nesting sites each year, regardless of traffic and construction activity and once her egg laying is done, she leaves the nest unattended,” says Coulter. If the eggs are not eaten by hungry raccoons, skunks and other wildlife shortly after the female lays them, they will hatch into miniature versions of their parents in about 16 weeks. Many scientists believe that increased predation of the nests, is contributing to a population decline. Of Ontario’s 8 native turtle species, 7 of them are considered Species at Risk. So adding the protection structures, a simple 2 foot square made of 2 by 4’s and sturdy hardware cloth, can make the world of difference to local turtle populations. A nesting structure protects the turtle eggs from predators such as raccoons and skunks. If you see turtles nesting or crossing the road on your travels, please slow down and give them lots of room. Visit us online at www.cloca.com where you can fill out our Turtle Nesting Survey and find out more about turtle conservation. Media Contact: Gord Geissberger, Marketing & Communication Coordinator (905) 579-0411, ext. 142, Email: [email protected] What we do on the land is mirrored in the water.