Researcher Asks: Can We Provide a Safe Haven for the Endangered Bog Turtle?

Stony Brook Scientist to Launch Fall Seminar Series at Paul Smith's College

PAUL SMITHS, N.Y. (09/01/2011)(readMedia)-- A researcher who has studied the endangered bog turtle will discuss ways to save their habitat in an upcoming lecture at Paul Smith's College.

Dr. Kevin Shoemaker will lead off this fall's Fisheries & Wildlife Science Seminar Series on Friday, Sept. 23, with "Scaling Up Bog Turtle Conservation in New York."

Shoemaker, a postdoctoral associate at Stony Brook University, studies how wildlife populations are affected by habitat alteration. He hopes to help humans co-exist with wildlife by making those connections understandable.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the bog turtle is the state's smallest. It reaches a maximum length of 4.5 inches. While considered threatened nationwide, they are endangered in New York; development in the southeastern part of the state, the species' primary habitat here, has hindered the turtle from moving into new areas as existing habitat is lost.

Two other lectures are scheduled this semester: Dr. Dennis Murray of Trent University in Ontario will discuss "New World Wolves: Confusion, Controversy and Conservation" on Friday, Oct. 14, and Tim McKay of Colgate University will deliver a lecture called "Ecology of North America's Smallest Mammals: The Shrews" on Friday, Nov. 4.

All lectures will be held at 10:10 a.m. in the Pine Room of the Joan Weill Student Center.

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