Help Save the Box Turtles!

The intimidating Hurricane Florence hit the North Carolina coast in mid-September and then less than a month later, Hurricane Michael came through NC. Although we feared Hurricane Florence to be catastrophic in our area, we were spared from the worst of the flooding and the wind. However, a month later, Hurricane Michael came charging in, with little warning. Hurricane Michael brought heavy winds and more rain to an already saturated earth. This meant trees were uprooted, limbs were torn from giant trees, and power lines fell down in the little 80-acre park.

While we were dealing with the loss of power, which can be a problem for our educational wildlife ambassadors, the wild animals in the park were dealing with their homes being remodeled. Hundred year old trees where turtles took refuge toppled over. The landscape was changed. Normally, we don’t think of that as a good thing. We usually see clear-cut forests before new neighborhoods and shopping centers are built. We see land trampled and flattened to pave way for new roads. However, in the places where humans have preserved areas, we can see the true transformation of the ecosystem.

Ecosystems are adapted to change, they are flexible in that way. Streams meander and change shape constantly. Forest pathways are continually shifting based on animals’ use. Plants grow and die. Hundred-year old trees see the end of their life, but it makes space in the canopy to grow new trees and plants that haven’t seen light for decades.

We can’t be certain how the forest will change with the damage from Hurricane Michael, but we don’t believe it’s a loss for the box turtles. Turtles have been around for over 220 million years, so they know how to survive. Box turtles in our park could be over 100 years old! These turtles know what to do when times change. Just like our turtle AOW from the creek, we can trust that the box turtles will adapt and find knew places to shelter. And actually, the benefits from uprooted trees include more hiding spots and more insects. Not only does the uprooted tree unearth the insects below it, the tree will now begin to decompose and will attract all sorts of insects and fungus will grow for turtles to eat.

However, it’s also important to think about the increase in intensity and frequency of these powerful storms. How are we impacting, both directly and indirectly, the ecosystem? Serious storms are going to become more frequent in the coming years, thanks to climate change. So, what can we do to help keep it a place where animals can adapt? Remember, little steps still make a difference! As the box turtles prepare for winter, it’s a good time to see how you can beneficially change the ecosystem around you. You can plant native plants that attract pollinators and other insects. You can create debris piles in your yard or school grounds which will attract reptiles (don’t put them to close to your house if you don’t reptiles hanging around your door). In addition, it is important to think about your daily life and where you can cut your carbon footprint. Although natural disasters can wreak havoc on ecosystems, we were fortunate to only have trees down and minor flooding. It’s inevitable that climate change will change future landscapes of the Earth. But our hope is, that like the box turtle, the environment will be able to adapt.

Links:

• Turtle Trekkers - Citizen Science Project