Blanding's Turtle

(Emydoidea blandingii)
By: Amanda Prochazka and Brittany Kerschner

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INTRODUCTION

A healthy wetland can support an abundant diversity of wildlife and a good indicator species of a healthy wetland is the Blanding’s Turtle. This creature is quite sensitive to pollution, fragmentation, and development of roads. Pollution kills the invertebrates and fish by lowering the dissolved oxygen levels in the wetlands. The Blanding's Turtles eat the invertabrates and fish that then die off due to low oxygen levels. The fragmentation of the wetlands creates less foraging ground for the species to find food whether it be aquatic or terrestrial. Development of roads is a major decimating factor for the turtles; Blanding’s Turtles travel long distances to lay their eggs in the summer on sandy prairies and often end up as road kill when crossing major highways to get to these areas (Wisconsin DNR).

The Blanding's Turtle is on the endangered species list for two states, the threatened list for seven states, and on the species of concern list for two states. It is also endangered and threatened in parts of Canada. Many groups are currently trying to revive the Blanding's Turtle's diminishing population to help save this suffering species. The Blanding's Turtle one of the few turtle species which is semi-aquatic, meaning it can eat both in and out of the water. It is important to manage for this species because they are a good indicator species of wetland environments.

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Identification:

Blanding’s Turtles are easily identified by their bright yellow throat, high domed shell with light colored spots, and the unique pattern on their plastron. These animals are quite timid and do not bite.

---Blanding's Turtle's Plastron-------------------------- Blanding's Turtle's Yellow Throat

Food:

This species is one of the very few turtles that are semi-aquatic, meaning they can eat both in and out of the water. While in the water they eat crayfish as their preferred food, snails, insects, frogs, and fish; and on land they like worms, slugs, grasses, berries, and vegetation (Wisconsin DNR).

Crayfish-----------------------------Frog-----------------------------Earthworm---------------------BeBerries

Habitat:

Blanding’s Turtles prefer wetlands with shallow waters that may or may not stand year round with clean water and dense native vegetation throughout them (Kingsbury). These turtles like to hide in this vegetation because they blend in with their surroundings. The marsh/wetland bottoms are preferred to be silty so that Blanding’s Turtle can dig themselves into the marsh bottom to hibernate for the winter. Most of the marshes the Blanding’s Turtles prefer are near forested areas so that the turtles have easy access to their terrestrial foods. Also, since these are cold blooded animals, on warm days where the waters are warmer then the turtles like, they can escape into the shade of the forest and burry themselves in leaf litter where it is cooler. Gravid (pregnant) female Blanding’s Turtles also prefer to travel through forests, usually following a stream, to the area where they will lay their eggs.

Blanding's Turtle's Preferred Habitat

Range:

The Blanding’s Turtle is a species which is being seen less and less as more and more development and fragmentation occurs. This species is endangered in Indiana, Missouri, and Nova Scotia; threatened in Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ontario, and Wisconsin; and a species of concern in Michigan and Ohio (Kingsbury). This species is able to survive winters in these northern states and parts of Canada due to their high tolerance of the cold winters (Behler). Holistically, this is a hardy animal who is only distraught when hungry or polluted.

--------------------------------Blanding's Turtle's Range in North America --------------------------------

Reproduction:

These turtles do not reach sexual maturity until they are around 15 years old and only reproduce up to every other year. Mating takes place in the water during April and May and eggs are laid from early June to early July depending upon the state or region the turtles are in (turtles in the more northern states/region lay in early June and turtles in the southern states/region lay in early July). Female Blanding’s Turtles will travel over a mile away to lay her eggs in a sandy grassland or prairie. When she finds the right spot she will begin to dig nests at dusk and finish after dark has set in. She may also stay around a few nights and dig false nests to fool predators who may be looking for disturbances in the soil. These turtles lay 6 to 21 eggs which incubate for 50 to 75 days. Sex of the offspring depends on the average temperature of the nest during the incubation period. If the nest is below 25 degrees Celsius then the hatchlings will be primarily males and nests above 30 degrees Celsius will be primarily females (Animal Diversity Web).

Female Blanding's Turtle Laying Eggs

Video: Blanding's Turtles Mating

Young:

Little is really known about the habits of the Blanding’s Turtle’s young. When the hatchlings emerge they wander aimlessly in search for food. They grow quite quickly during the first few years of life (State of Michigan). For their first year, young turtles will find an area with loamy or silty soils to burry themselves in for the winter. This must be done before the ground freezes if they want to survive. They are extremely hard to catch unless you monitor their nest sites because they blend into their surroundings quite well.

--------Baby Blanding's Turtle Hatching---------------Size Differences in Blanding's Turtle by Age

Welfare Factors:

• Habitat:
  • Fragmentation
    • Subdivisions are compacting the areas the turtles use to dig nests and make the turtles have to travel farther to find a nesting site.
    • Farmlands are dangerous for turtles to travel across. Field equipment kills many turtles each year and dogs and cats eat the young Blanding’s Turtles.
  • Development
    • Roads cause automobile related deaths to turtles.
    • Subdivisions compact the soil turtles need to lay their eggs in and wetlands are drained to make them.
    • Farmlands take away wetlands where the turtles once called home.
  • Pollution
    • High nitrogen levels can kill fish and invertebrates that the Blanding's Turtle feeds on.
    • Phosphorus causes algal blooms which deprives the water of dissolved oxygen.
    • Dissolved Oxygen lowers the number of insects, animals, and invertebrates living in the water.
• Food:
  • Fragmentation
    • Cuts turtles off from their food source.
  • Development
    • Takes away area where their food source once was.
  • Availability
    • Pollution kills their food source in the water which forces them to travel on land in search of food.
    • The food source must be within their reach (no more than one foot off the ground).
• Water
  • Pollution
    • Kills the turtle’s food source and pushes the turtles out of the area.
    • Deep, cool ponds are unfavorable to the Blanding's Turtle.

    Fragmentation and Development Seperating Wildlife from its Habitat

    

Decimating Factors:

• Predators
  • Nests
    • Wolves, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, ants, cats, and dogs will all prey upon turtle nests.
  • Young
    • Falcons, wolves, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, ants, cats, and dogs will all eat the young Balding's Turtles.

  

  Opossum---------------------------Falcon---------------------Wolf----------------------Coyote-------------------------------Fox

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LITERATURE REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

The biggest factor affecting the Blanding’s turtle is the destruction of prime wetlands habitat. The “fragmentation and loss of wetland habitats has lead to population declines” (Kingsbury). Because of this, the Blanding’s turtle has become endangered in Maine and Nova Scotia, and threatened in 12 other states. A study done by the journal Conservation Ecology discovered, “life-history traits of long-lived organisms consist of co-evolved traits that result in severe constraints on the ability of populations to respond to chronic disturbances” (Congdon). Management techniques are needed to protect the Blanding’s turtle at all stages in the life cycle. If only the adults are managed, the hatchlings have a greater chance of dying out. Similarly, if only the hatchlings are protected the adults will die before maturity because of the lack of protection. Now that the Blanding’s turtle is recognized as a species that could be lost forever, many states and wildlife programs are using wetland restoration techniques to preserve and create wetland areas for the species. At the moment, there are a number of programs funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency working on tracking and protecting the Blanding’s turtle, such as the project in New Hampshire involving New Hampshire Fish Game and Non Game biologists hoping to restore vernal pools for the turtles ( http://64.65.232.53/pdf/00turtles.pdf).

For the species specifically, “mark/recapture and radio telemetry techniques are being used to further define daily and seasonal movements, habitat utilization, and nest selection” (New York State). A tracking device is attached to the shell of the turtle and is monitored to determine migration, nesting sites, and other valuable information surrounding the turtles.

Using Radio Telemetry to find Blanding's Turtles

Another technique for managing the Blanding’s turtle is the mark and recapture method. A turtle is trapped in a special wire net, is marked and then let go. After a certain amount of time (a few years or so) turtles are recaptured and data is taken. This is valuable in determining if turtles migrate or stay in the same areas. It is also useful for establishing a population count for a particular area.

Some management techniques are focused on the Blanding’s hatchlings. Artificial nesting sites can be created in areas that are safe from predators. These nests are typically placed in range areas where habitat is close to the ideal for the turtles. This helps with the survival rate of the new hatchlings.

Wire Cage Around Nest to Protect from Predation

The most important technique, however, for the management of Blanding’s turtles, is the management of wetlands. Due to the fragmentation and draining of wetland habitats for development, the Blanding’s turtle population has declined dramatically (Wisconsin DNR). Historically, it was the drainage of wetlands in the early 19 th century that has created today’s water resource management problems (Hey). There are a variety of goals for wetlands management: restoring a historic wetland, creating shallow marsh scrapes, enhancing existing wetlands, and restoring a wetland within reasonable limits ( WETLANDS BOOK). Also with wetlands management comes the management of plant species, specifically in the Solimar’s case management of cattails. Some of the more effective management techniques are hand pulling, mowing or cutting, flooding or freezing the area, dredging the wetland (which can be very disruptive) and herbicides (which can also do extensive damage) (Cornell). The most effective technique is altering water levels of the wetland and drowning out the cattails. However, depending on the structure of the wetland, this might not be the most practical technique.

It is important to remember that the management of wetlands does not only affect the Blanding’s turtle. Many species can benefit from the restoration of wetlands such as snakes, salamanders, frogs, waterfowl, fish, other species of turtles, mammals such as the muskrat and beaver, and a variety of other animals (Knopf). The restoration of wetlands is never a singular species focus; it benefits other animals in a holistic way.

--White Tailed Deer -----------------Wood Duck ----------------------Raccoons--------------------------Ducks/Waterfowl -

-------------Muskrat-------------------------Crayfish-----------------------Painted Turtle----------------------------Frogs----------------

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DESCRIPTION OF THE MANAGEMENT AREA

Solimar's Property near Roberts, WI

Overview:

The Management Area we worked with belonges to Keith and Karen Solimar. They own a beautiful 32.37 hectare (80 acre) lot just outside of Roberts, WI near I-94. Their property borders the Eastern Twin Lake next to the Twin Lakes State Access Point. On the far side of the Lake there are two old sewage ponds put in to hold sewage from the city of Roberts. These ponds require a permanent water level and have caused the nitrate levels to sky-rocket in the lake itself. Due to the high nitrate levels the lake is unproductive and fish are not in a condition fit enough for people to eat. The Solimars have been managing their land for the past five to ten years for various terrestrial animals, their main focus being bluebirds. They have the southern half of their land devoted to prairie which provides many animals with food and cover throughout the spring, summer, and fall. A small woodlot east of the house and shed provide cover for woodland creatures along with food such as berries and nuts. By planting native wetland shrubs around the lakes edge they have also helped provide habitat for the few animals who call this lake home. Bird houses, woodduck boxes, and bat boxes have also been built to help the winged creatures of their property. Bluebirds are the Solimars' main attraction, however. They have made trails around their property for bluebird watching tours. Along with seeing bluebirds, bird watchers can see Orioles, Gold Finches, Juncos, Great Blue Herons, Chickadees, Finches, and many more.

Aerial View of the Solimar's Property

Base Map (Pre-Plan):

The Solimars have been managing their land for several years in hope to increase the diversity of wildlife on their land. There are many different areas being managed currently on their land. These are:

Base Map of the Solimar's Property

Plant and Animal Inventory:

Because the Solimars have many diverse habitat types on their land for wildlife, a diverse number of wildlife may be seen.

Plants and Animals Present on the Solimar's Property

Soils:

There are many soil types on the Solimar's property ranging from sandy loam to silt loam. These soils are moderately well drained which helps with groundwater recharge of the Eastern Twin Lake. There is little to no topography on the property with exception of the lake on the northern border. Before the Solimar's bought the property the area now planted and managed for grassland/prairie was a farm field which provided large amounts of nutrients which would runoff and spill directly into the Eastern Twin Lake.

Soil Map of the Solimar's Property

St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Map Unit Symbol	Map Unit Name	Acres in AOI	Percent of AOI
BrB	Burkhardt sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes	8.4	4.1
BxB	Burkhardt-Sattre complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes	27.9	13.8
BxD2	Burkhardt-Sattre complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes, eroded	2.4	1.2
Fe	Fluvaquents	1.7	0.8
JsB	Jewett silt loam, sandy substratum, 2 to 6 percent slopes	17.6	8.7
LcA	Lawler silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	8.6	4.3
OmC2	Onamia loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	2	1
OrA	Orion silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	3.2	1.6
PlA	Pillot silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	7.3	3.6
PmB	Plainfield loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes	29.4	14.6
PoB	Port Byron silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	8.1	4
ShB	Sattre loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	8.1	4
SlB	Sattre silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	6.8	3.4
W	Water	47.3	23.4

STEPS OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Year 1 and 2 :

Spring (Years 1 and 2): The focus of year one and two is to prepare the lake areas for marsh scrape in year 3. Our concentration will be primarily on cattail management on the area of the lake owned by the Solimars. Cattails are a large problem because they discourage waterfowl and encourage brood parasites such as the brown-headed cowbird (Anderson). They can also become extremely invasive and choke out other natural wetland plants that are beneficial to diverse wildlife. Therefore, the first step in our management plan will be to get the cattail population under control. There are a variety of ways we could attack this problem; hand pulling, mowing or cutting, dredging, flooding or freezing, and using herbicides (Cornell). In the case of the Solimars, hand pulling would not be practical because there is an extensive amount of cattails. Flooding would not be practical either because of the way the banks of the lake are constructed; the amount of water needed to drown out the cattails would flood out the surrounding areas around the lakes. We have chosen to stay away from dredging—because it can be extremely disruptive and damaging to the lake—and herbicides—because we do not want any more chemicals of any kind leaking into the water. Therefore, we feel the best way for the Solimars to control cattails is to use the combination methods of cutting and freezing. In the spring of the first year, we will cut the cattails down with a hand-held brush hog so that there is only 1” of stalk left above the water. Cutting them down before they bloom will help immensely with population control. The cut cattail stalks will then be bagged up and hauled away to a compost site.

Cattails

Fall (Years 1 and 2): In the fall, we will cut the cattails again, in the same way we cut the cattails in the spring. By cutting them twice each year, before they have time to bloom and reseed themselves, we can better eradicate the excess population. We will cut the cattails again leaving only 1” above the water, and dispose of the cut stalks in a compost site. In the fall of year 2 only, we will plant seeds of aquatic plants in hopes that they will help take over where the cattails had previously grown. These plants will include Arrow Arum, duck potato (Arrow head), tussock sedge, and a New England Wetmix (which consists of primarily sedges and hardy wetland plants). The New England Wetmix is excellent for restored wetlands and very hardy, providing 75% cover in two growing seasons time (New England). These plants will hopefully help out compete the cattails for wetland space.

----Arrow Arum-------------------------------------- Smartweed------------------------------------------ Sedges

The last step of the cattail management for this year is freezing. During the winter, the cattails will freeze without having gathered enough energy to survive the winter (due to the cutting). This will help bring down population numbers because less cattail will be growing back every year.

Year 3:

Late Spring: Year 3 is the year when we plan to do the marsh scrape. Before this time, we will acquire the appropriate “Earth and Soil Moving” permits so that we may proceed with the project. By this time, the cattails should be under more control than they were before. In the late spring, we will determine which plants—along the lake where we plan to do the marsh scrape—we will keep for transplanting later. For example, along the lake edge there are small stands of Red Osier Dogwood that would greatly add to the diversity of the new marsh scrape. Red Osier Dogwood provides excellent food and cover for a variety of species (especially bird species), and does well in wet, sunny sites (Fewless). We will transplant valuable wetland plants such as the dogwood before we do the marsh scrape, instead of just plowing these important plants under.

Red Osier Dogwood

Early Summer: This is when we will perform the actual marsh scrape. The use of a mini backhoe will be greatly valuable in digging out the new area. The area to be scraped out is the 700 x 500 feet Northeast of the forested area. We will also incorporate the small marshy side pond when we perform the scrape. It will become a part of the final wetlands area. The topsoil will be scraped out first, and kept because of the wetland plant seeds that may still be lying dormant in it. It has been proven that the transplanting of topsoil into new wetland areas, such as this marsh scrape, can significantly increase the number of species of wetland plant cover and the number of valuable food plants in a wetland (Brown). After setting the topsoil aside, the backhoe will be used to dig out the area of 700 ft. x 500 ft., making sure that no more than two feet of water will be exposed in the new marsh area. The perimeter of the new pond will be highly irregular, increasing the amount of edge which many wetland species prefer. This should take 2 – 3 days to complete the scrape.

Backhoe

Fall: In the fall, again we will cut the cattails and dispose of the stalks. After we scraped out the new marshland, we will plant more hearty wetland plants such as Button Bush and Spotted Joe-Pye weed. We will then re-spread the topsoil in hopes that the dormant seeds will replant themselves. The transplanted plants (such as the Red Osier Dogwood) will be re-transplanted around the new area to help with continued species diversity. The Solimars will need to keep close observation on the Red Osier Dogwood because it likes to spread in wetland areas. We do not want to finally get rid of cattails, and then have to deal with an invasion of Red Osier Dogwood. Pulling out the new spreading plants can control the Dogwood.

Button-Bush

Year 4 and 5 :

Spring of year 4: In the spring, we will set up our newly purchased wire turtle traps so that we may begin marking and releasing the Blanding’s turtles we capture. The Solimars may wish to involve a herpetologist or biologist who specializes in Blanding’s turtle management to take care of the telemetry and tracking of the turtles. The other reason we will begin trapping in the spring is to determine if there are Blanding’s turtles in the area.

-------Turtle with Radio Transmitter----------------------Releasing Young Blanding's Turtles

Also in the spring, we will plant our 100-foot buffer zone around the new wetland. We are only allowed to purchase per 100 units for most of the trees so we will order in bulk. The plants that would be most beneficial for the buffer are white pine, paper birch, red maple, white oak, winterberry, common elderberry, and hazelnut. These trees will be planted reasonable distances apart from each other to provide maximum growth rate. The purpose of the buffer is to help keep the harmful nitrates from reaching the wetland (Turner). A buffer zone also helps with bank stability, flood prevention and management, and additional wildlife habitat adjacent to the newly created wetland (Turner). Also important to our buffer zone are the berry briars we will transplant from other parts of the property. This will help create a healthy understory for the zone and provide food for wildlife.

Woody Buffers

Spring of year 5: Cattail management.

Summer of year 4 and 5: Again, cattail management will be continuous throughout the management plan. We will cut the cattails with the brush hog before they bloom and compost the stalks. Any more transplanting or planting of buffer zone plants or wetland plants will be done as needed.

Fall of years 4 and 5: Cattail management. (Cattail management will be ongoing as needed).

Year 10 :

Spring: If the cattail population is under control by this time, it might not be necessary to manage them. If it is still an issue, we will cut them like we have in previous years.

At this point, if no Blanding’s turtles have been capture or seen on the property, we will reassess our management plan and make adjustments as needed. If we feel that the wetland is in proper condition to provide suitable habitat for the Blanding’s turtle and they have not found it yet, we will contact the DNR about introducing the species to the area.

Fall: Possible cattail management as explained in the spring of year 10. We will continue our observations of the wetland and the turtles, and repair and maintain the wetlands as needed.

Marsh Scrape

Important Points:

• Every year, water sampling and testing will be needed to manage nitrate levels, pH, temperature and fertility.
• When Blanding’s turtles are found on the property, during the breeding season they will need to be followed to discover their nesting sites. When a nest site is found, a special nest box must be placed over the eggs to protect them from predation. This will help ensure a higher hatchling success rate.
• Along with cutting cattails, we will be pulling and spraying the prairie area for spotted knapweed, pulling and spraying glossy buckthorn, and keep an eye open for other invasives such as garlic mustard and leafy spurge.

Base Map (Post-Plan):

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BUDGET

Year 1 and 2:

---------------------------------------Total Cost for Years 1 and 2: $526.50

Year 3:

Year 4 and 5:

• Cost from Years 1 and 2: $526.50
• Cost from Year 3: $975.22
• Cost from Years 4 and 5: $2418.00
• Total Cost for Management Plan: $3919.72

Summary of Budget

Investing in restoring a wetland has many economic benefits. Establishing and maintaining a wetland can prevent flooding of nearby areas, decreasing the risk of expensive flood damage. Wetlands, especially wetland plants, help clean and purify the water. Though in the Solimar’s case, the high nitrate levels will need extra management from an outside source such as the Wisconsin DNR. The plants, however, will help immensely with other nutrients that leak into the wetlands from the surrounding land plots. Another economic benefit of restoring wetlands is that it provides a relatively cheap way to help preserve different types of wildlife: “ Almost 35% of all rare and endangered animal species, and several endangered plant species, are partially or entirely dependent on wetland habitats for survival” (National Audubon Society ). By restoring wetlands, endangered and threatened species have a greater chance of survival, and it will cost less money in the long run to just restore the habitat instead of trying to save the species later when it is almost extinct. (EPA).

This management project is relatively inexpensive for restoring a wetland because the owners can do much of the restoration themselves. They will need to contact an agency (the Wisconsin DNR) to remove the high nitrates in the Twin Lakes; however, they could manage the rest of the plan themselves. It might be to their advantage to contact a professional herpetologist or local DNR station (for example Fort McCoy) to help with the radio tagging, telemetry, marking, and the tracking of the Blanding’s turtles.

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WILDLIFE ECOTOURISM

Expanded Management Plan:

The best way to encourage Blanding’s turtle success rates is to keep up to date managing the new marsh scrape. The surrounding plots of land are used for farming. In the future, the adjacent landowners could be talk to about managing their share of the Twin Lakes for possible wetland restoration. It would also be beneficial to suggest building a 100 foot buffer zone around the entire lake system to help prevent nitrates and fertilizer from the surrounding farmlands from entering the wetlands. It may also be beneficial for a future management project to flood the Twin Lakes area. We would need the cooperation of all landowners around the lake to accomplish this. The benefits from flooding would be increased cattail control and dilution of the nitrates already present in the wetlands. A study done in Ecological Engineering compared two nitrate wetlands: one with a high nitrate count and one with a low nitrate count. They were able to build a model based on flooding of wetlands to help control the removal of nitrates from a water system. (Mitsch).

Another study, published in the journal Wetlands, explained that the best way to restore a wetland is to analyze the cumulative impact on the entire wetland region being restored (Brown). By taking a holistic and historic approach to restoring the Twin Lakes area, we more effectively and completely restore the area to its natural wetland state. This would take the effort of all the landowners owning property on the lake and the cooperation of the DNR. This plan would be extremely beneficial to future wildlife populations if the landowners would be willing to participate.

Specifically on the Solimar’s property, management outside the wetland area should be done as well. The adjacent prairie should have a regular rotational burning every 3 years or so, to keep the prairie healthy and productive. This is also excellent nesting habitat for the Blanding’s turtle, but the burning would benefit many other prairie species as well: northern harrier, prairie chickens, sparrows, wrens, owls, turtles, snakes, and a variety of endangered prairie plants.

----Bluebird------------------------------Northern Harrier-------------------------------Lupine--------------------------------Snakes -------------

Ecotourism:

Ecotourism can be a very vital component to any natural site. According to the book Case Studies in Ecotourism, by Ralf Buckley, ecotourism can be essential to preserving wetlands because the community becomes involved in the protection of wetlands (Buckley). It would be very beneficial for the Solimars to incorporate an ecotourism aspect to their property.

The Solimars, at the present time, invite tour groups from the Biology department from University to visit their land. Their property has many features that would be of interest to wildlife biologist or those planning on going into private lands management. They could continue to invite University students during the fall and spring, and encourage students to develop management plans such as this one.

West Salem 7th Graders at Fort McCoy, WI Learning about Blanding's Turtles

Another way the Solimars could invite wildlife tourism is to invite DNR tour groups to visit the property. The target audience could be anyone from DNR employees to visiting guests with the DNR. The Solimars provide an excellent example of private lands management and could certainly help others through the DNR.

The Solimars also have a beautiful plot of land for wildlife recreation. This will be the largest way to draw ecotourism. Because of the extensive bird population on the Solimar’s property, bird watching in the spring, summer, and fall would be a wonderful way to draw tourism. Bluebirds are the primary managed birds on their property; however they also have a pair of bald eagles, a large variety of small songbirds, and waterfowl such as herons and ducks. The Solimar’s property would be ideal for avid bird watchers because of the variety of habitat types that it has.

Bird-watching and Photography

The prairie is very adaptable for ecotourism as well. Prairie enthusiasts could volunteer for prescribed burns every few years, and the Prairie Enthusiasts Society could be very active with the prairies located on the Solimar’s property. Wild flower blooms could be viewed in the spring, summer, and fall, and snowshoeing trails could be made in the winter for those who would love a winter prairie walk.

At all times during the year, wildlife photographers of all kinds could visit the Solimar’s property. In the spring, baby animals would be taking their first steps / flights into the world while sleepy mammals crawl out of their burrows from the winter. In the summer, the prairie flowers would be in full bloom and the hot days will bring out active wildlife at night and during the day. In the fall, autumn colors will be vibrant along with animals planning for the cold winter ahead. And ice in the trees would be very picturesque in the cold of winter. The Solimar’s plot of land is absolutely perfect for wildlife photography because of the variety of habitats and photogenic landscaping.

In the future, a walking trail will be built along the new marsh scrape and into the prairie. It will be boarded in the wetlands and a dirt trail in the prairie. This will be an excellent walking path for viewing wildlife in the different habitats.

Boardwalk Around Marsh Scrape

There are plenty of festivals in the area where the Solimars could advertise their property and offer special tours as a part of the festival. Some of the festivals are:

Click on the Link to visit the homepage:

• Fall Festival of the Arts Red Wing, MN
• Lumberjack Days Stillwater, MN
• River City Days Red Wing, MN
• Rivertown Art Fair Stillwater, MN
• Rivertown Days Hastings, MN
• River Falls Days River Falls, WI

These festivals would be a great way to generate interest and educate the public about wetland restoration and protection. The Solimar’s property would be an excellent place to start an ecotourism plan.

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The Blanding's Turtle is a very hardy semi-aquatic turtle which could thrive if it were not for the influences of human activities on their habitat. Its cold tolerance has helped it adapt to the cold winters of the noth eastern United States and south eastern Canada (Behler). The fast paced development and high concentrations of pollutants in our waters have severely diminished this turtles chance of survival in this technology driven world. Saving the remaining wetlands and restoring old ones would help turn the Blanding's Turtle's population around and help this turtle species to prosper!

Smile! Be happy!

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Anderson, Floyd. “Cattail Management Symposium: A Sunflower Grower’s View of the Black Bird Problem.” Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. U.S. Geological Survey. Online.14 December ------------2006.

Animal Diversity Web. “ Emydoidea blandingii.” University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Online. 14 December 2006.

Behler, John L. “Blanding’s Turtle.” National Audubon Society: Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York, New York. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1997. p.458.

Brown, SC. BL Bedford. “ Restoration of wetland vegetation with transplanted wetland soil: An experimental study.” Wetlands. Vol. 17. Issue 3: 1997. pp. 424-437.

Buckley, Ralf. Case Studies in Ecotourism. CABI Publishing: 2003. pp. 49.

Congdon, JD, AE Dunham, RC Van Loben Sels. “ Delayed sexual maturity and demographics of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii): Implications for conservation and management of long-lived ------------organisms.” Conservation Biology. Vol. 7. Issue 4: 1993. pp. 826-833.

Cornell Cooperative Extensions. “How to Control Cattails in a Farm Pond.” South Central New York Agricultural Team. Online. 14 December 2006.

Deming, Laura. “Tracking Blanding’s Turtles in New Hampshire.” New Hampshire Audubon. 2000. pp. 11-12.

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