The Transportation Services facility on Harpers Road was designed and built to meet the Platinum LEED standards. This included 100 percent rainwater runoff into “rain gardens.” These gardens are depressed areas with native trees, shrubs, grasses and wetland plants. This was done to help restore the surrounding land to its natural habitat.
One sign of its success was in June when the transportation staff observed a female painted turtle depositing eggs in the mulch outside the Dispatchers’ window. Fearing that predators would feast on the eggs, the staff erected a snow fence around the nest for protection. In mid-September, eight hatchlings emerged and made it safely to the nearby rain garden.
As for now, the transportation staff is excited to see what new neighbors they may encounter next.
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How cool is that! I’m wondering….are they like ducks? When the babies become adults will they come back to lay their eggs?
Based on the photos, these are redbelly turtles. Always great to see people looking out for our reptilian friends. Thanks Transportation Services!
Those turtles are cute.
WWES also has turtles. We found the male on our ball field and our Principal, Mr. Ball, brought a female he found at his house. We put them both in the courtyard and now we have 4 turtles that are a year old. Great fun for students and adults to track their growth and eating habits.