1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program
1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program
New South Wales Shines
Thank you to Helen Erskine and Leticia Hopton from NSW for sharing their story about the wonderful initiative at Mittagong NSW.
Here is their story...
Volunteer Helen Erskine has been actively working with Associate Professor Ricky Spencer from University of Western Sydney and Patrick Tegart from Wingecarrribee Shire Council to educate the local community about the freshwater turtles of Lake Alexandra. This small lake is in the Mittagong Township, about halfway between Sydney and Canberra. 140 years ago it was a dam supplying water for engines taking coal to the Fitzroy iron mines, and it is now home to Eastern long neck (Chelodina longicollis) and Murray River short neck (Emydura macquarii) turtles.
To improve the turtle habitat basking platforms, and a turtle island for safer nesting, have recently been installed at the lake. A ‘Turtle Tour’ of 5 educational signs has also been created. The signs are taken down throughout late autumn and winter to be replaced in spring, to focus the community’s attention when the females are finding nesting places.
Helen has also been instrumental in running events with Ricky Spencer and the local Council to actively engage the local community with turtle rock painting and chalk art sessions for children, Walk and Talks, and setting up National Nest Predation Survey plots and wildlife cameras at the lake. This has all led to a growing interest and awareness of the protected species, including many people coming especially to see the turtles on the logs or swimming at the lake.
1 Million Turtles outdoor event at Mittagong NSW
As a citizen scientist, Helen often speaks to interested people and shows them the TurtleSAT app as she does a turtle survey at the lake. Some go on to add the app to their phones and many are quick to tell her what they have seen; turtles on the local roads, turtles returned to the Lake (even if they didn’t come from there) and some nesting in close proximity (including in backyards).
University of Western Sydney student Letisha Hopton conducted a survey of visitors to the lake before and after they completed the self-guided ‘Turtle Tour’. The survey looked at the knowledge and attitude of the participant towards freshwater turtles, with 6 questions being kept identical in the before and after survey. The responses showed a definite increase in the knowledge of participants after taking the tour. Everyone who completed the survey also responded that they would be interested in helping with conservation work and agreed that the walk would be good to share with family and friends.
Letisha also noted a 294% increase in the number of TurtleSAT entries at Lake Alexandra in the 12 months after signage was installed, and a large increase number of entries completed by people who had created a new TurtleSAT account.
‘Our Turtles’, as Helen calls them, have given a new focus to Lake Alexandra and its human neighbours. People are now more aware and vocal about their concerns for the species and a will to keep the turtles safe.They avoid driving over where they nest, and go more slowly around the perimeter of the lake to protect turtles, ducks and other wildlife too.
This is a very impressive effort from everyone involved at Lake Alexandra, and Helen’s dedication to educating and empowering the local community of all ages, is to be congratulated!
Lake Alexandra at Mittagong NSW
Keen to play a part in understanding impacts of foxes on our turtles?
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Check out our brand new nest prediction tool.
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