A part of a trail at the Collavino Conservation Area will be temporarily closed through July and August to protect turtles during their nesting season.
The 150-acre wetland was donated by Loris Collavino and family and opened to the public in May.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority announced the temporary trail closure on Friday afternoon.
“The trail has been rerouted during this short period to provide an approximate one-kilometre loop around the prime nesting area,” said Kevin Money, ERCA’s Director of Conservation Services. “We truly hope that people will respect this temporary trail closure to allow these at-risk species the best chances of survival.”
The Species-at-Risk include Blanding’s Turtles, Eastern Spiny Soft Turtles and Snapping Turtles.
“Because this section of mowed trail along the dyke is narrow, there tends to be a high concentration of turtle nests that are vulnerable to destruction or inadvertent disturbance from passive uses like walking your dog along the dyke. Temporarily closing this trail during the nesting period will increase the chances of survival,” said Money.
Researchers will also be monitoring the nesting sites in the area.
