Faraday agrees to TTCI request

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At their meeting on Feb. 4, Faraday Township council heard from Kelly Wallace, executive director with the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative, who asked them for permission to install two permanent signs within the township to protect turtles going forward into the coming mating season. Council approved her request, in coordination with acting Operations Superintendent Bill Mackey. Bernice Crocker, CAO with the township, and Wallace commented to The Bancroft Times on this matter.

TTCI is an award-winning volunteer group founded in 2018 that engages in provincial awareness initiatives and species recovery efforts in North Hastings and neighbouring communities. Working with community leaders, organizational representatives, and concerned citizens, they use evidence-based information and data in support of their mission to drive change and build partnerships in pursuit of strategies to protect turtles in Ontario from the threat of extinction. For more information, go to www.thinkturtle.ca.

Faraday council received a letter from Wallace on Jan. 13 requesting the installation of two turtle crossing signs within the township at two high-risk locations. She stressed that the presence of clear, permanent signage would increase public awareness and help protect both wildlife and motorists, especially during summer and fall when turtle crossings are at their apogee and visitor traffic increases.

“These two road mortality hot spots are adjacent to water bodies and have documented frequent turtle crossings year after year. Despite temporary signs being installed annually, turtles continue to be struck by vehicles at these sites, often fatally. Current Practices and Rationale for Permanent Signage. In previous years, with approval from Operations Superintendent Scott Laundry, Think Turtle has placed temporary awareness signs during the active season. Unfortunately, these coroplast signs are often stolen. Given the ongoing losses and continued risk, we believe a more permanent signage presence is needed in these areas. Permanent signs provide a strong visual reminder to motorists of possible turtle activity ahead. As we regularly monitor these locations, we've observed vehicles speeding, especially during peak turtle movement periods. We hope that official-looking signs, professionally installed by operations staff, will encourage drivers to slow down and remain alert,” she says.

While local drivers familiar with the area may anticipate turtles along the roads in question, seasonal visitors, delivery drivers, and others may not and may not react in time to avoid them, according to Wallace. She says that the signs would serve as effective visual cues, helping to reduce turtle mortality by increasing awareness in drivers at these seasonal crossings.

While this request focuses on turtle conservation, we are also aware that snakes are frequently run over along this stretch of road. We believe that if motorists are made more aware of possible turtle activity, they are also more likely to notice other species crossing the road, such as snakes or even deer. Details of the Proposal: Think Turtle will cover the cost of manufacturing the signs, which conform to the standard used by other municipalities in Ontario. The signs would be diamond-shaped, 60 cm x 60 cm, made of steel with radius corners, and feature yellow backgrounds with black text and image. Each sign will have pre-drilled holes (top and bottom center) for mounting. See the attached photos. If the request is approved, we would greatly appreciate Faraday Township's support in supplying the 8-foot U-channel sign posts and necessary mounting hardware. We would coordinate with the Operations Department to identify the most suitable installation sites, taking into account local terrain and existing signage. As is usual policy, the signs would be installed by Operations personnel to ensure they are securely and properly placed. Our goal is to have the signs installed by the end of April, ahead of the peak turtle activity season. Environmental Stewardship and Public Safety: Turtles are among the most endangered species in Ontario, with all eight native species listed at risk. Road mortality, habitat loss, and other threats have contributed to steady population declines. Local conservation efforts like this play an essential role in protecting these species and maintaining the health of the ecosystems they support. In addition to their conservation benefits, wildlife crossing signs promote overall road safety. When drivers are alert to slow-moving turtles, they are also more likely to notice other wildlife, reducing the risk of accidents and injury to both people and animals. By supporting this initiative, Faraday Township would be demonstrating leadership in local conservation and contributing to a broader public awareness of biodiversity and ecological responsibility,” she says.

For more information, contact Wallace at thinkturtle@yahoo.com.

After discussing the matter among themselves, Faraday council decided to go ahead with Wallace's request for the signs, with the stipulation that she do so in concert with input from the acting Operations Superintendent, Bill Mackey, as to the placement of the signs so they do not interfere with traffic flow and are in specific positions where they would not be vulnerable to theft.

Crocker told The Bancroft Times  that Wallace is very passionate about turtle conservation, and she feels that the decision made by council was considerate of her request.

“I do feel it is important that the acting Operations Superintendent, Bill Mackey, be involved in the location of the signs to ensure there are no issues with winter maintenance and municipal vehicles. I will be contacting Kelly by email this morning to advise her of council's decision,” she says.

Wallace told The Bancroft Times  that TTCI was delighted to learn that Faraday had approved the installation of the two signs and that their installation will be done in consultation with Mackey. She said they were notified by Crocker, who shared council's decision and connected them with Mackey to discuss next steps.

“We have since extended our thanks to Mayor Purcell, council, and Bernice for their time, support, and thoughtful handling of the request. Think Turtle will supply the turtle crossing signs, and Faraday Township has agreed to provide the posts and hardware for installation. We'll work with Mr. Mackey to confirm the sign locations, aiming to have them in place by late April or early May, when rising temperatures increase turtle activity. Council's approval reflects a genuine commitment to living alongside the wildlife that call Faraday home. In areas where roads intersect natural habitat, crossings can be life-threatening for turtles and other species. The signs will serve as visual cues to motorists and quiet reminders that these roads are shared. This is a meaningful contribution to local conservation efforts. Beyond its immediate protective value for turtles, the initiative reflects a broader conservation ethic, one that benefits both wildlife and motorists. In a rural community like Faraday, where roads often run through natural landscapes, small reminders like these can encourage more mindful travel. These signs are among the most visible ways to reduce harm to species at risk, especially where roads border or cut through active habitat. For turtles, the risks are especially high. Females frequently cross roads on their way to their preferred nesting grounds, and hatchlings later return to the water, facing the same dangers. The threat is greatest during the spring, summer, and autumn. Even a slight drop in speed or an extra moment of caution can make a difference. Reducing wildlife vehicle collisions supports the long term survival of turtle populations, many of which are already listed as at risk in Ontario. In this way, turtle crossing signs serve both as a safety measure and a meaningful act of conservation. Through ongoing monitoring of turtle activity in Faraday, we've seen just how vulnerable turtles can be, particularly along roads with narrow or non-existent shoulders and blind curves. In the past, Think Turtle has used temporary awareness signs to alert motorists, but given the elevated risk of road mortality in key areas, a more permanent presence is recommended. This led to our request for permanent turtle crossing signs for the current season,” she says.

Wallace stressed that as more visitors come to enjoy the region's natural beauty, signs like these become increasingly important. She says that even if unnoticed by some, they help encourage more mindful travel, especially among those unfamiliar with the area or unaware that certain roads are active turtle crossing zones. According to her, when motorists are alert to the possibility of turtles on the road, they're more likely to notice and respond to any wildlife crossing their path.

“Wildlife signs also matter for human safety. Any animal on the road — regardless of size — can be a hazard, depending on how a driver reacts. These signs encourage alertness and patience, qualities that benefit everyone behind the wheel. They also offer a moment to reflect. For some, seeing a turtle crossing sign may be the first time they consider how wildlife and roads intersect. In communities that value their natural heritage, signs like these help deepen that connection. Once installed, we ask community members to help keep an eye on the signs and report any damage or tampering to Think Turtle at 647-606-9537. Unfortunately, wildlife signs have been stolen or defaced on occasion. Local awareness and support will help keep them in place. We're sincerely grateful to the Faraday Township council for recognizing the value of this effort and supporting its implementation. These signs are more than infrastructure; they stand as quiet, lasting symbols of care, cooperation, and shared stewardship,” she says. “Step by step, and sign by sign, we can make the roads a little safer and our relationship with nature a little more thoughtful.”