Pair of “Turtle Talks” to take place in New Albin June 25 and June 29

Over the past several months numerous caring and compassionate deeds for wild animals have taken place in New Albin. The young, the middle aged, and the older residents of this community have all taken a focused interest in protecting individual turtles of at least three different kinds, as well as the nests full of eggs the pregnant turtles entrust to residents year after year.

“Young people have been amazingly caring,” shares Friends of Pool 9 Turtle Conservation Project Committee Chairperson Ric Zarwell. “Learning about and practicing compassion is a truly important goal. It is a way of acting everyone could use more of, and that kind of learning surely exists here.”

Zarwell specifically cited the recent discovery and caretaking of a female Painted Turtle by children attending Grotegut’s Daycare, who carefully tended to the badly injured turtle, and help was quickly sought. The turtle had a badly cracked shell and serious internal injuries, and was given the name “Crackster.” A wildlife rehabilitation center specializing in turtles is now taking care of the injured turtle in hopes of a good recovery.

In light of those recent turtle-assisting efforts, Zarwell has scheduled a pair of “Turtle Talk” events in New Albin to further inform and educate the public in regard to turtle care, while also celebrating local caretaking efforts. A program designed specifically for area youth is schedule for this Thursday, June 25 at the New Albin Public Library, and a program geared more toward adult citizens has been scheduled for Monday, June 29 at the New Albin Townhouse.

YOUTH PROGRAM THURSDAY, JUNE 25
A special “Turtle Talk” program designed and offered to all local youth, and any youth in the Friends of Pool 9 area, will take place this Thursday, June 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the New Albin Public Library. Erin Cubbon, Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist with the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, and Ric Zarwell, Conservationist with Friends of Pool 9, will present a program especially designed for youngsters and their parents and/or grandparents.

The program will include live turtles, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and learn new things about turtles that visit the New Albin community every spring.

ADULT PROGRAM MONDAY, JUNE 29
A second “Turtle Talk” program is specially designed for adults because they have definite, specialized, and more critical responsibilities to achieve success with these turtles, their eggs, and particularly the hatchlings. That “Turtle Talk” for adults will also feature live turtles Monday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Albin Townhouse.

Zarwell notes that as of this writing, property owners and renters have placed, or facilitated placement, of screens to protect over three dozen turtle nests. These screens effectively protect nests and eggs from predators such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, as well as pet dogs and cats allowed to roam the neighborhoods.

But at this time, training is needed for managing those screens correctly until actual hatching of the turtle eggs occurs. Plus, this training will address how to gather, correctly handle, and release the hatchlings for maximum survival.

At the Monday, June 29 program, Erin Cubbon, Naturalist with the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, and Ric Zarwell, Conservationist with Friends of Pool 9, will present a program especially designed for home owners, renters, and others who wish to learn about local turtles and participate in managing them in the best way. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and to be prepared to learn new things about turtles.

“The broad level of interest and direct involvement in the Turtle Conservation Project sponsored by the Friends of Pool 9 has been amazing and very much appreciated,” shared Zarwell. “The many talents and assistance of Naturalist Erin Cubbon is also greatly appreciated. Nesting turtles prefer rain, wet soil, and plenty of heat. More turtles are expected before this nesting season is over, and dealing with new hatchlings is a critical step for everyone to understand.”