WPC Freshwater Turtle Project 2012

The first hoop traps have been set. The first site has been surveyed. The first frogs calls have been heard. But there is tension in the air…

Turtlers Jonny and Ashley have tuned in to their inner competitive streak, and it is not pretty. Within 36 hours upon entering the trailer, almost everything has turned into a competition. Who will catch the most turtles? Who will collect the most nests? Who will find the most ticks crawling on their bodies? All will be recorded. All will be tallied. The Turtle Games are on!

Jonathan Choquette

Jonny graduated with a B.Sc. in Biology (2007) and a Masters in Landscape     Architecture (2011) both from the University of Guelph.  His MLA thesis was focused identifying habitat corridors for Massasauga Rattlesnakes in a fragmented landscape.  Jonathan has conducted herpetofauna surveys for endangered reptiles across southern Ontario and has worked on COSEWIC Status Reports on the Butler’s Gartersnake, the Massasauga Rattlesnake and the Milksnake. His interests include urban herpetology, landscape ecology and conservation biology. His overarching goal is to combine his training in landscape architecture and biology to design landscapes where our herpetofauna populations are restored and reconnected.

Ashley Leifso

Ashley holds a Masters in Biology from the University of Guelph. She is interested in conservation biology and loves working with wildlife.