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    • Blanding's Turtle
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NOHLC
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • History
    • Staff / Board
    • Newsletter
    • 2020 Corporate Sponsors
    • Partners in Conservation
    • Contact Us
  • Land
    • What Is a Land Conservancy?
    • Preserves & Trails
    • Active Projects
  • Ways to Give
    • Recurring Giving
    • Join Our Sustainers Circle
    • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Application
    • Property Inspection Report
  • Take Action
    • Make Native seedballs
    • Plant for Pollinators
    • Ramp up Recycling
    • Protect Your Water
    • Install a Turtle Protector
    • Save The Poweshiek
  • Learn More
    • Native Plants
    • Native Lakescapes
    • Guided Walks
    • Blanding's Turtle
    • Butterflies & Dragonflies
    • Frog Sounds
  • Invasive Species
  • Stewardship

Meet the Blanding's Turtle

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In Michigan, we are lucky to have several species of turtles.  Some are well-known, such as the painted turtle or snapping turtle.  But we also have more rare turtles such as the wood turtle, known to Northern Michigan, or the state-threatened spotted turtle. 

The headwaters region is home to the Blanding’s Turtle - locally common in northwest Oakland County and due to population declines, this species is of special concern in Michigan. 

The Blanding's is a larger turtle that is very easily identified by its highly domed carapace or top shell, its bright yellow throat (the color of sunshine), and the notched upper jaw which gives the illusion of a smile.  A female will travel through wetlands, over roads and yards, up to a kilometer looking for the perfect spot to lay her eggs.

The Blanding’s Turtle can take 14 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity, so any reproducing adult in the population is crucial to the continuation of the species, especially given the general vulnerability of the population.  Furthermore, the habitat of the Blanding’s Turtle is as vulnerable as the species, as they are often seen basking on downed trees in isolated pockets of wetland such as vernal pools or buttonbush swamps. 

Please keep your eyes focused for this beautiful reptile this spring and summer, and if you spot one on the road, help it on its way.  Don’t worry –they will not bite but perhaps flash you a heartfelt smile of appreciation.  

NOHLC has partnered with Brandon teacher, Alisa Lyon, to create a presentation about the Blanding's Turtle.

​Download Ms. Lyon's PowerPoint presentation below. Or you can try to make your own turtle nest protector with the instructions provided below.

Help Us Protect the Blanding's Turtle
File Size: 1320 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

turtle_next_box_plan_rrotramel.pdf
File Size: 655 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​VIDEO:  Brief guide to identifying the Blanding's Turtle in Michigan narrated by Phillip Reed, a Brandon Schools graduate.
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Contact us:
​
office@nohlc.org​                                       
​
248-795-2808                                                   
​7150 Dixie Highway, Suite 2
Clarkston, MI  48346 
​
Mailing: PO. Box 285, Clarkston, MI 48347

​Connect with us:
​#natureworthpreserving

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North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 23-7207644)
​under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • History
    • Staff / Board
    • Newsletter
    • 2020 Corporate Sponsors
    • Partners in Conservation
    • Contact Us
  • Land
    • What Is a Land Conservancy?
    • Preserves & Trails
    • Active Projects
  • Ways to Give
    • Recurring Giving
    • Join Our Sustainers Circle
    • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Application
    • Property Inspection Report
  • Take Action
    • Make Native seedballs
    • Plant for Pollinators
    • Ramp up Recycling
    • Protect Your Water
    • Install a Turtle Protector
    • Save The Poweshiek
  • Learn More
    • Native Plants
    • Native Lakescapes
    • Guided Walks
    • Blanding's Turtle
    • Butterflies & Dragonflies
    • Frog Sounds
  • Invasive Species
  • Stewardship