What:     

Briefing to unveil the progress of the three-year-old Intercounty Connector (ICC) Eastern Box Turtle Initiative by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). 

Fourth and fifth graders from Washington Christian Academy in Olney will gain insight from turtle searchers on how the initiative has saved approximately 900 turtles.  Demonstrations include: how trained turtle-tracking dogs find turtles; how a protective “turtle fence” is built; and conversations with experts on career opportunities in the environmental sciences.  A surprise appearance by the project’s turtle mascot will kick-off the activities.
   
The Eastern Box Turtle Initiative, part of the ICC project’s extensive $370 million environmental program, began prior to construction in fall 2007.  SHA organized the first relocation of box turtles away from construction of the ICC.  At that time, turtles were equipped with harmless transponders allowing data to be collected and the turtles’ behavior analyzed.  Since then, trained turtle-tracking dogs, ICC contractors, environmental staff and community volunteers found the turtles and relocated them to safety throughout the 18-mile ICC project.  On Earth Day, SHA will issue a summary from the study conducted by Towson University in partnership with SHA. 

When:  

EARTH DAY - Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.
 

Who:

Robert E. Shreeve
SHA Environmental Manager, ICC project

Mr. John Rucker
Turtle Specialist

Sparky, Greta, Mink
Turtle Tracking Dogs – Boykin Spaniels

Mr. David Hawes
Vice President, Washington Christian Academy

Fourth and Fifth Grade Classes of Washington Christian Academy 
  

Visuals:    

Demonstrations include how to construct turtle fencing and turtle tracking by Boykin Spaniels Sparky, Greta and Mink.  Forty students, ages 10-11, will interact with the turtles and dogs, along with the colorful “mascot” of the Turtle Initiative leading the activities. 

Where: 

The Washington Christian Academy: 16227 Batchellors Forest Rd, Olney, MD 20832.  Parking will be in front of the entrance to the right of the traffic circle.     

Why:

This Earth Day event provides an extraordinary opportunity to teach children the value of environmental stewardship through a hands-on experience.  The ICC Eastern Box Turtle Initiative is a creative project that reconciles the possible threat to a species in the construction process by aggressively providing human intervention to avoid  and diminish the impact.  The study will answer questions on the success of the mass relocation and its value as a future strategy in protecting this species and others.  

*** Trousers, long-sleeve shirts and sensible shoes (no heels) are highly recommended ***

 
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