Report hours under Category Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, Activity Citizen Science Projects

What: Lake Ballard Turtle Surveys - the first survey ever at Lake Ballard to gather important information about Eastern, Red-bellied Cooter, Red-eared Slider and Painted turtles who reside there.  The initial surveys are land based visual and photographic surveys when volunteers and Hoffler Creek staff will work in groups of 4, each with a team leader.  Instruction in turtle identification techniques will be provided,  and a quadrant of the lake assigned.  Take 3-5 photos of each turtle, identification will be verified by herpetologists at Virginia Living Museum and/or Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Service.  Another photographic survey may be done by kayak to reach beyond the shoreline, into the middle of the lake.  Ultimately,  the goal is to use the information collected to create signage, including photos, of the resident turtles, as educational tools at the lake, as well as construction of basking platforms (this activity will be announced separately when plans are finalized)

Where: Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, 4510 Twin Pines Rd, Portsmouth

When: 3 dates are scheduled - Saturdays, September 14, October 5, and November 2 at 10-00 AM.  Expect to be there at least 2 hours

How: Contacts for sign up and additional information are: Mickie Nance at koolmickie@msn.com, Kathleen Foster at kfoster@kfahousing.com and Ashley Morgan at ashley.morgan@hofflercreek.org