Herald-Mail Forums > Save the Box Turtles!

strungout

Jul 16 2008, 03:11 PM

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaysto...amp;format=html

QUOTE

The Humane Society of the United States says it has obtained a $130,000 federal grant to ensure safe passage of Eastern box turtles beneath a road in western Maryland.

The organization says the funds will pay for fencing and improved culverts beneath a two-lane country road near Greenbrier State Park. The park is atop South Mountain near Boonsboro.

The grant from the Transportation Enhancement Program stems from a project begun in 2005 by volunteers to route the turtles into existing culverts and keep them off the road.

The HSUS says the turtles reproduce so slowly that the death of even a few adults can lead to an irreversible population loss.

Good stuff!

therams03

Jul 16 2008, 03:17 PM

The turtles are not in the clear yet. There are more dangers out there.LOL

Udmas

Jul 16 2008, 03:39 PM

Glad to see my tax dollars being used so wisely.

SmokeChaser

Jul 16 2008, 03:45 PM

Same thought here. $130,000 would have benn much better used say at Holly Place protecting elderly people, but what do I know?

strungout

Jul 16 2008, 03:47 PM

It's a Federal Grant...not tax dollars.

Geez.

txexpatriot

Jul 16 2008, 03:49 PM

QUOTE (strungout @ Jul 16 2008, 04:47 PM)

It's a Federal Grant...not tax dollars.

Geez.

so you don't think federal money comes from taxes? The feds don't sell anything to earn money.

And who can't avoid a turtle in Greenbrier Park--not that I have ever come across one in the park, but at 5mph you can avoid them..

therams03

Jul 16 2008, 03:52 PM

Still comes out of our taxes. For as bad a situation our economy is in our govt be it local, state or federal sure does like to spend our money on weird things. Turtles, Music notes whats next its in sanity. I think someone needs to have a sit down talk about not blowing our money. lol

therams03

Jul 16 2008, 03:54 PM

QUOTE (therams03 @ Jul 16 2008, 04:52 PM)

Still comes out of our taxes. For as bad a situation our economy is in our govt be it local, state or federal sure does like to spend our money on weird things. Turtles, Music notes whats next its in sanity. I think someone needs to have a sit down talk about not blowing our money. lol

Udmas

Jul 16 2008, 04:03 PM

QUOTE (strungout @ Jul 16 2008, 04:47 PM)

It's a Federal Grant...not tax dollars.

Geez.

That was a joke, right?

strungout

Jul 16 2008, 04:12 PM

Tough crowd.

Snoopy

Jul 21 2008, 11:02 AM

UFB...

SmokeChaser

Jul 21 2008, 11:10 AM

Like I said this money could have gone to countless other local issues, but NOOO we have to save a few friggin turtles. DO NOT get me started.

jelsey

Jul 22 2008, 01:53 PM

QUOTE (SmokeChaser @ Jul 21 2008, 12:10 PM)

Like I said this money could have gone to countless other local issues, but NOOO we have to save a few friggin turtles. DO NOT get me started.

I like turtles.

I'm one of those tree-huggers that STOP in the road and MOVE turtles to the side (or sometimes, into the back seat to take home and "cuddle")

But I agree, there's more needy causes out there, and turtle soup IS delish!

feistyirishbabe

Jul 27 2008, 12:29 AM

QUOTE (strungout @ Jul 16 2008, 04:11 PM)

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaysto...amp;format=html

QUOTE

The Humane Society of the United States says it has obtained a $130,000 federal grant to ensure safe passage of Eastern box turtles beneath a road in western Maryland.

The organization says the funds will pay for fencing and improved culverts beneath a two-lane country road near Greenbrier State Park. The park is atop South Mountain near Boonsboro.

The grant from the Transportation Enhancement Program stems from a project begun in 2005 by volunteers to route the turtles into existing culverts and keep them off the road.

The HSUS says the turtles reproduce so slowly that the death of even a few adults can lead to an irreversible population loss.

Good stuff!

This reminds me of the "toad tunnel" that was built in CA. The people had good intentions but it turned out to be a failure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis,_California
Davis' Toad Tunnel is a wildlife crossing that was constructed in 1995 and has drawn much attention over the years, including a mention on The Daily Show. Because of the building of an overpass, animal lovers worried about toads being killed by cars commuting from South Davis to North Davis, since the toads hopped from one side of a dirt lot (which the overpass replaced) to the reservoir at the other end. After much controversy, a decision was made to build a toad tunnel, which runs beneath the Pole Line Road overpass which crosses Interstate 80. The project cost $14,000. The tunnel is 21 inches (53 cm) wide and 18 inches (46 cm) high.

The tunnel has created problems of its own. The toads originally refused to use the tunnel and so the tunnel was lit to encourage its use. The toads then died from the heat of the lamps inside the tunnel. Once through the tunnel, the toads also had to contend with birds who grew wise to the toad producing hole in the ground. The exit to the toad tunnel has been decorated by the Post-Master to resemble a toad town.

txexpatriot

Jul 28 2008, 03:39 PM

QUOTE (feistyirishbabe @ Jul 27 2008, 01:29 AM)

The tunnel has created problems of its own. The toads originally refused to use the tunnel and so the tunnel was lit to encourage its use. The toads then died from the heat of the lamps inside the tunnel. Once through the tunnel, the toads also had to contend with birds who grew wise to the toad producing hole in the ground. The exit to the toad tunnel has been decorated by the Post-Master to resemble a toad town.

ah--the law of unintended consequences!! Just once, can't we just leave well enough alone? We now have shield bugs aka stink bugs everywhere..and gypsy moths & killer bees..all because some idiot thought they could play 'mother nature' better than well, you know whom..