Wet meadows and brooks weave together a network of interconnected waterways throughout this region of western Nova Scotia. The Nature Trust’s protected lands in the Pleasant River Watershed include the Pleasant River Woodlands, Bull Moose Meadow, Barren Meadow, Deep Brook Bog (the first site protected by the Nature Trust for Blanding’s Turtle habitat), and other lands bordering the Pleasant River. These lands also complement other protected areas nearby, including the provincial Pu’tlaqne’katik Wilderness Area. Together these areas are collectively called Pu’tlaque’katik, a name which originates from a local Mi’kmaw elder’s vision of a lake called “Shaving Lake” or “Shingle Lake.” The waterways in this region have been used by the Mi’kmaq for centuries.

Keeping the waterways in this area intact helps prevent habitat loss and degradation for species at risk here, including the endangered Blanding’s Turtle, threatened Eastern Ribbonsnake, and threatened Wrinkle Shingle Lichen. Keeping shorelines and floodplain forest intact contributes to the resilience of the watershed as well.

Blanding’s turtles are easy to spot with their dark, high domed shell, bright yellow chin and neck, and great big smile. But things aren’t actually cheery for these turtles—they are a turtle in trouble. They are at risk of extinction in Nova Scotia and across Canada. They are listed as Endangered under both the federal Species at Risk Act  and the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the biggest threats to Blanding’s turtles. The same lakes, rivers and wetlands these turtles call home are increasingly popular for cottages and recreation. Since they travel big distances—they can travel over 6 kilometers to reach their nesting sites—and are slow crossing the road, cars are another major threat.

If you see a Blanding’s Turtle at this site or anywhere else, please don’t disturb it. But if you see one crossing a road, please do help it along its way (move it off the road but still in the direction it was heading).