Wetlands of all kinds are being destroyed in the face of urban expansion. Wetlands are filled in then built upon for human use and can easily become contaminated. 

 

You can alter this trend by protecting existing wetlands from development and degradation by sharing their importance and visiting wetlands. If you own property adjacent to or containing wetlands you can improve its use as turtle habitat and nesting area. 

 

Litter can be detrimental to wildlife, including turtles. This Snapping Turtle become stuck in a discarded plastic ring causing a deformity. It is important to always dispose of waste correctly, recycling where possible to support the health of our ecosystems.
Photo: Adopt-a-Pond, Toronto Zoo.

 

1. By preserving existing healthy habitat on your land or supporting wetlands and parks such as Wye Marsh to conserve wetland habtiats

2. By improving existing wetlands  

3. By creating new habitat

 

By preserving wetlands we can assure these biodiversity hotspots will continue to remain healthy and productive for years to come. 

 

Most habitats could use some improvements. Degradation happens in various ways over time and a little work can have marked improvements.  Improvements to habitats on your property may include ensuring you have a wide variety of native plant species in and around the water, adding logs to the water for basking sites, and cutting back overgrown vegetation to ensure an open natural shoreline. 

Wetlands have been drained, destroyed, and filled in all over Ontario for decades due to urban expansion.  Creating new nesting areas, overwintering sites or summer habitat is critical to turtle conservation. Without safe and suitable habitat turtle populations will continue to plummet. 

 

In some circumstances tax breaks and funding (click here for more information) are available to those looking to protect or create wetlands on their property. The Toronto Zoo provides additional resources including details, criteria for turtle nesting habitat restoration and even step by step assistance with designing (click here for more information).