Restoring a snapping turtle nesting habitat (Video)

Meet the “Turtle Team,” Jori, KC and Madie. These Environmental Technician students chose to restore a snapping turtle nesting habitat at Christie Lake Conservation Area as part of their Environmental Capstone Project. More than just building a habitat, the students learned how to work effectively with industry partners like the Hamilton Conservation Authority staff, follow safety protocols, and conduct vital conservation research specific to the site. It also taught them how to research, collaborate and understand the intricate connections within an ecosystem and apply Project Management fundamentals.  

But why snapping turtles?  

The decision to focus on snapping turtles came from a desire to help a local ecosystem. Madie highlighted the practical reasons for their choice: "With the population kind of on the decline and... so many turtles being hit [by cars]," the team wanted "to do something to rectify it on a small scale." This issue was particularly relevant at their chosen site, Christie Lake, where, as Madie explained, "a lot of the turtles will nest along the side of the roads, resulting in turtles being injured or killed." 

Beyond addressing this direct threat, the team recognized the species' wider importance. KC provided the ecological context, explaining that snapping turtles function as "an indicator species... one of the hardier turtle species." Their resilience means their population trends offer valuable insights into the health of the entire ecosystem. As KC noted, "when we see their numbers declining, we can expect that other turtle species are declining too." Therefore, helping snapping turtles at Christie Lake became a tangible way to address a specific danger while contributing to a larger understanding of environmental well-being.  

Read the full story on the Mohawk College Future Ready blog. 

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