Acopian Preserve Restoration
A patchwork of farms, streams and forest harbor populations of North America's smallest turtle.
In southeastern Pennsylvania, small, spring-fed mountain streams trickle down into the sandstone valley below. In scattered areas across the valley, the water collects to form soft, muddy wet meadows that contain clumps of grassy tussock sedges and other low-lying vegetation. This combination of natural elements, located at The Nature Conservancy's Acopian Preserve, creates ideal habitat for one of the state’s most important populations of federally endangered bog turtle.
The Acopian Preserve is not open to the public due to the fragile nature of the habitat. However, interested conservationists may view the preserve during a volunteer workday.
Prior to becoming a TNC preserve, this patchwork of lands garnered interest from scientists when farming practices began to replace traditional grazing that once supressed trees and other vegetation that provided ideal conditions for bog turtles. In response, TNC acquired the property in 1989 and secured a conservation easement on 1.2 acres in 2000.
Over the years, TNC has implemented prescribed burns, cleared trees, returned grazing to the landscape with cattle and goats, and conducted annual surveys and a radio telemetry study that documented bog turtle locations, hibernation, travel patterns and habitat use within the preserve. Turtles residing in the preserve have been tagged with small, computerized chips to help with tracking, monitoring and managing populations throughout their life cycle.
Quote
Stay in Touch
Subscribe to Nature News, our monthly e-newsletter. Get the latest news and updates about our conservation efforts both locally and around the world, delivered straight to your inbox.