Rare turtles in focus of Michigan and Ohio wildlife authorities thanks to new federal funding

LANSING, MI – Michigan will take the lead in studying dwindling populations of Blanding’s and spotted turtles – rare species that are being considered for federal protection.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will work with its counterparts in Ohio to collect information on the status, distribution and ecology of the two native turtle species. Both species have declined throughout their range and are currently under review for listing on the federal endangered species list.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently awarded a $500,000 grant to fund the work, in addition to more than $183,000 in non-federal state grants.

The data collected by researchers in Michigan and Ohio, along with all available information, will be considered by federal agencies in deciding whether to place the Blanding’s and spotted sea turtles under federal protection.

The grant for this turtle research is part of a $7.4 million total for federal endangered wildlife conservation awarded competitively this month through the FWS’s State Wildlife Grants Program.

“State and territory fisheries and wildlife agencies are important partners in protecting America’s wilderness and wildlife for future generations,” agency director Martha Williams said in a statement.

“These grants will help them do important work to promote the recovery of wildlife and habitat for those who need the help most, and we are proud to support their work.”

This year’s state conservation program call for proposals awarded more than $2.5 million to projects in Hawaii, including efforts to support three bird species, an insect and more.

Other projects that have received federal funding include research on the endangered skink in Guam, bat conservation in Illinois and Iowa, crayfish in North Carolina, horseshoe crabs in South Carolina, and endangered bats and birds in the Missouri River corridor.

The agency reports that since 2008, the program has disbursed more than $103 million in federal grants to states, territories and the District of Columbia to help fish and wildlife and their habitats, particularly those at risk of population decline or threat or endangerment.

Related articles:

The survival of rare forest turtles is the mission of the Up-North tribe

Take it slow at Pictured Rocks, it’s turtle crossing season

Grand Rapids Zoo fights to save Michigan’s dwindling turtle population