Turtles in Maine—The Impacts of Roads on Our Most Vulnerable Species

Maine is home to seven species of native turtles, four of which are state listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern. The main threats to these species are habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as collection for personal use or for the pet trade.

Sarah Haggerty will discuss the natural history of Maine’s turtles, some of the challenges they face locally and across their natural ranges, and go in-depth on a citizen science project Maine Audubon and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IFW) are currently pursuing.

Maine’s turtles are particularly vulnerable to population declines associated with adult mortality, which are frequently due to vehicles and roadkill. Maine Audubon and Maine IFW are working together with the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) and citizen scientists to identify the places across Maine where turtles are most susceptible to roadkill and to work with towns and the Maine DOT to develop mitigation programs to address the problems. Join us as we talk about this exciting project and learn how we can all get involved.

Sarah Haggerty is a Conservation Biologist/GIS Manager for Maine Audubon in Falmouth. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Bowdoin College and a Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Between her undergraduate degree and her recent return to Maine, she worked with various government agencies and non-profits in the realm of wildlife and fisheries conservation, including 10 years with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.  Sarah now leads Maine Audubon’s efforts to train town and state officials and private landowners in Stream Smart techniques and to develop a regional approach to improving road crossings for wildlife.