Alarmed by the dwindling number of spotted turtles, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife lists the reptile as a threatened species that should be “vigorously protected” in the Buckeye State. The shallow wetlands turtle with distinctive bright yellow spots is becoming increasingly difficult to find. SPOTD, a broad, multi-agency effort to headstart the species, works to identify and monitor spotted turtles in the wild and then to recover eggs for incubation. Any resulting hatchlings are reared for release when they reach a size more advantageous to their survival. The Splash Fund underwrites specific expenses related to the care, observation and release of spotted turtles.
The Splash Fund has established a variety of partnerships to advance outreach, education and conservation. Collaborators include:
- Wild4Ever
- Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- Cleveland Metroparks
- Toledo Zoo
- Geauga Park District
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Summit Metroparks
- Lake Metroparks
- Medina County Park District
- The Ohio State University
- Save and Protect Ohio Turtle Diversity(SPOTD)
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services
