In southern New England, eastern box turtles and other species of native turtles lay eggs in early summer, after becoming more active and sometimes crossing trails and roads, beginning in May. While watching for turtles on roadways during the summer months is one important way to preserve local turtle populations, New Englanders can help protect native turtles year-round with increased awareness.

University of Rhode Island conservation biologist Nancy Karraker, who specializes in reptiles and amphibians, focuses her work primarily on the consequences of environmental change for both these species. She has examined the impacts of habitat loss and degradation, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and disease on biodiversity in North America and Southeast Asia.

“It’s not enough to say, ‘Watch out for turtles on roads,’” she said. “Though we do want people to do that.”

Erroneously considered slow travelers, all turtles move through a home range that can be miles in diameter and can be analyzed for areas of risk or safety. Karraker and her students employ standard wildlife surveys and use technology to see where turtles move to better assess and plan safe buffer zones for populations. Her lab has worked with the Department of Environmental Management to help improve prospects for eastern box turtles, wood turtles, spotted turtles, and all species of concern in Rhode Island.

In addition to fast-moving cars, another risk to turtles is people who are interested in them, for selfish reasons.

Karraker has had students research the illegal pet trade in the United States. All native turtles are protected in Rhode Island and captures of local turtles are illegal. Popular animal ID or wildlife apps that provide exact locations can lead wildlife poachers to turtle locations observed in the wild. These turtles may then be captured from forests and streams to be sold into the lucrative, but illegal, wildlife trade.

Karraker noted that community science applications and some social media groups celebrate nature and encourage people to enjoy the outdoors but can inadvertently contribute to poaching, as native species are coveted as pets here and abroad, with Asia and Europe being frequent destinations.

Karraker understands the draw of turtles.

“They’re beautiful creatures,” she said. “I understand the fascination, and why people want them for pets. However, we want everyone to enjoy them and we want to see them continue to live and flourish in the wild in their native habitats.”

Turtle catchers don’t share that goal, she noted, and don’t care if they’re taking the last one.

“Once that last individual is gone, that species no longer exists in the wild,” Karraker said. “When we lose them, they are gone forever.”

Development is a challenge for the region’s turtle populations. Even in rural areas turtles can find it hard to exist due to the loss of large patches of forest, high densities of roads, and heavily manicured yards, where the use of fertilizer and pesticides can put turtle populations at risk.

“Roads are a death sentence for turtles and many other species of wildlife,” Karraker said.

Karraker noted there are things people can do to help protect native turtles.

“If you see a reptile or amphibian crossing the road and it’s safe to do, help by picking it up and moving it off the road in the direction it was going,” she said. Karraker keeps a small shovel in her car for just that reason.

She cautions on the risks of using road salt and pesticides, which can harm many species of wildlife including frog tadpoles, salamander larvae, and turtles.

“It sometimes seems like a giant mountain to think of all the things we need to do, I know,” she said. “I try to be more mindful in how I live.You could pick reducing plastics or avoiding pesticides in your yard and salts on your sidewalk. You might be more careful in how you treat pests or plant a pollinator garden at your house: just pick two or three things to just do really well. Every little bit helps.”