The Essex Region Conservation Authority has reopened a trail at Collavino Conservation Area after it was closed for nearly two months to protect nesting turtles.
The conservation area has a high concentration of species-at-risk including Blanding’s Turtles, Eastern Spiny Soft Turtles, and Snapping Turtles.
Independent researchers had access to the site during the nesting period.
"They go out, they are looking for the turtles to see when they're nesting. They're also tagging and documenting the turtles," said Kevin Money, Director of Conservation Services.
Money says the closure will likely be annual.
"For the time being, we're absolutely going to be closing the site for a few months every year to give the turtles space that they need to reproduce. We want to let these turtles, all of them, not just the endangered ones, reproduce and carry on their populations," said Money.
ERCA is currently developing a draft management plan for its newest conservation area. Public feedback is being collected through an online survey until August 21, 2026.
