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By Liam Verster

Dwindling Populations

Coldstream advancing work to improve local painted turtle habitat

Feb 14, 2024 | 12:46 PM

The District of Coldstream is taking action to improve the western painted turtle habitat at Kalavista Lagoon.

At the regular meeting Monday, Feb. 12, Coldstream Council received a habitat assessment report by McElhanney, a multi-disciplinary company whose work including environmental and engineering assessments.

The report by a McElhanney biologist stated there has been declining turtle numbers, deteriorating water quality, decreasing water depth, and the loss of native wildlife due to invasive species taking over at the site. It was noted that the existing painted turtle population in the lagoon was small and “likely declining due to extensive loss of wetland habitat and increasing development and roads.”

Upon receiving the report, Coldstream Council voted in favour of advancing some recommendations from McElhanney.

• Installing informational signage for the lagoon and potential nesting sites, which would also encourage that dogs be kept on leash to prevent interactions with turtles
• Installing basking log clusters in the centre of the lagoon
• Regrading the shoreline so turtles can exit and enter the water more easily
• Installing artificial nesting sites that involves exclusion fencing to protect them from predators
• Planting native aquatic and riparian vegetation along the lagoon’s banks, as well as native plant species

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Council also directed staff to contact the province to discuss increasing the water levels at the lagoon, as well as investigating grant opportunities for removing sediment from the lagoon.

The species of painted turtles that live in Kalavista Lagoon are the Intermountain-Rocky sub-population, which are classified as “special concern,” meaning they are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered.