KINCARDINE NEWS (Ontario) 16 July 08 Young activist protecting the 'slow and steady' (Troy Patterson)
A local activist has 'shelled out' some cash to help erect the first 'Turtle Crossing' sign of its kind in the Municipality of Kincardine.
Jorie Elliott, an 11-year-old Ripley-Huron Community School student and self-proclaimed 'Turtle Activist', raised $92 to pay for two Turtle Crossing signs on Bruce Avenue.
Elliott helped put the signs up on posts by the Municipality of Kincardine Public Works yard on last Wednesday, to alert motorists of the 'at risk' species.
"I did it because I love turtles," she said shyly. "I just like them."
The process started in June, 2007, when Elliott wrote a letter to municipal council describing how she didn't want to see any more turtles run over on Bruce Ave.
"Since there are going to be new soccer fields, there is going to be way more traffic so there are going to be more dead turtles and more work for the people who clean up dead turtles," she wrote to council.
A year later, her letter writing and research skills improved and her submission included a business card and an explanation of why the signs should be purchased and their significance.
Elliott said of the eight species of turtles, six are "at risk" in Ontario, so they and their ecosystems need to be protected.
"It's very rare for a turtle to live to be an adult because of road hazards, so we must do what we can to support them by making it safer to cross the road," she wrote.
Don Huston, public works foreman for the municipality, said he has noticed more turtles on road and said the signs are a good way for people to keep an eye out for them.
"Our guys pick them up and get them off whenever they can," said Huston Elliott's mother Sheryl
"I didn't really expect my daughter to be an activist, but she is," she said. "We as parents try to show her the right steps to achieve her goals and these are her goals.
Elliott is also involved with Turtle Talk, a program through the Metro Toronto Zoo, where children can track and measure turtles to help with their research.
As her business card reads, her goals are to 'Find turtles, Save turtles, Train turtles and Make the world a better place for turtles.
Those looking to erect a sign can contact the municipality at 519-396-3468. The cost is $55.
Young activist protecting the 'slow and steady'