Lake Jackson Ecopassage

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage

Providing a Safe Path for Wildlife

The World's Worst Turtle-killing Highway: US Hwy 27 in Tallahassee, Florida
More than 8,800 turtles have been rescued so far!
Over 13 million supporters have spoken out
Time since problem was first identified:

Page last updated:

You can help show your support in 3 ways!

Write a letter of support

Join the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance

Make a tax-deductible donation

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization and registered Florida charity

All donors receive a free bumper sticker

1. The Problem: Highest rate of road-killed turtles in the world!	2. Temporary Solution: Fences to direct turtles through a culvert under the road	3. The Goal: A permanent ecopassage

Remains of 90 road-killed turtles found along a 1/3 mile stretch of US Highway 27 at Lake Jackson in one day in February 2000, prior to construction of temporary fence.	Turtles being diverted by the temporary fence into a culvert under the road. This fence design effectively prevented thousands of turtles and other wildlife from death on the highway in the last few years.	The goal is a permanent guidewall and culvert system similar to this one recently constructed at Paynes Prairie on US Highway 441 south of Gainesville, Florida. Lake Jackson Ecopassage Conceptual Drawing

Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve Roadkill Fact Sheet

Summary:

Lake Jackson is a 4000-acre sinkhole lake in northwestern Florida located 7 miles north of Tallahassee, FL in the Ochlockonee River basin. Lake Jackson is considered one of Leon County's most precious natural resources and is designated as an Aquatic Preserve by the State of Florida. The water level of Lake Jackson fluctuates widely and is controlled naturally by rainfall (variation in surface water run-off into the lake) and by two primary sinkholes (Porter Hole and Lime Sink). During drought conditions, a lowering of the water table causes leakage into the groundwater through the sinkholes and most of the lake bottom dries, an event that has occurred at least 12 times in the last 168 years (1840, 1907, 1909, 1932, 1935, 1936, 1957, 1982, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006), drying on average every 9 years. In fact, native Americans referred to Lake Jackson as Lake Okeeheepkee "Disappearing Waters". We recently discovered an article from 1842 commenting on the lake drydown.

US Highway 27 is a four-lane highway that was built directly across a 3/4-mile portion of northwest Lake Jackson, isolating part of the lake to the west now known as Little Lake Jackson. US Highway 27 is a virtually impassable barrier to turtles and other wildlife with 23,500 vehicles traveling along it each day.

***The road mortality and attempted crossings, especially of turtles, is higher than has been documented anywhere else in the world!.***

We have documented over 11,270 (as of 16 April 2008) animals of 61 different species (not including birds) attempting to cross the half-mile section of US Highway 27 at Lake Jackson in the last 8 years. Clearly, a permanent solution to this significant wildlife mortality problem is needed.

Map of Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson. Click to see much larger version

Lake Jackson Water Levels. Click to see much larger version

Graph courtesy of Northwest Florida Water Management District

Map of Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson bisected by US Highway 27 showing location of proposed culverts and barrier walls. Map of study area. Map showing temporary fences. Click the image above for high resolution map.

Fluctuations in water levels of Lake Jackson over time. Because the lake level fluctuates widely, migration of turtles between Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson occurs continually.

Current level of Lake Jackson Daily precipitation 1999-present

During the recent drought in North Florida, Lake Jackson dried completely causing a mass exodus of thousands of animals that attempted to migrate to Little Lake Jackson directly across US Highway 27. Between February and April 2000, the highway was monitored every 1-2 days for dead and live turtles. 439 turtles were killed on US Highway 27 during the 40 days prior to fence construction.

This Florida softshell was killed after climbing over the low temporary fence on June 24th 2002. Unfortunately the fence offers little resistance to climbing turtles such as this.

This yellow-bellied slider was killed trying to cross US Highway 27 in September 2002. Most turtles are killed as soon as they cross the white line on the shoulder of the road.

This snapping turtle was killed trying to cross US Highway 27 on Sunday September 15th, 2002. Most turtles are killed as soon as they cross the white line on the shoulder of the road.

In order to prevent massive road mortality of the entire population of migrating turtles, we constructed a temporary fence using silt fence material that directs turtles into a culvert under the road. A 3,600 foot fence along US Highway 27 North was completed on 3 April 2000 and has been monitored 2-4 times per day since construction. A 2,600 foot fence was then constructed along US Highway 27 South to intercept turtles that attempted to migrate across the road when Lake Jackson refilled. Turtles were hand-collected as they moved along the fences, measured, transported by hand across the highway, and released into the water. Over 8,800 turtles and hundreds of other reptiles and amphibians were saved from death on the highway by these fences. For a historical account of the events that have occurred, please visit our Latest Developments page.

Is this turtle movement a freak anomaly based upon a one-time drought event?

No! Although the peak migration occurred as Lake Jackson dried, migration of turtles and other wildlife between Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson has continued since the lake refilled, so this is not a one-time problem. Every spring hundreds of nesting female turtles emerge on to land to lay eggs and the fence protects them. Without the fence, many females would be killed on the highway while searching for appropriate nesting habitat. Because many turtles take from 10 to 15 years to mature, losing thousands of turtles every 12.5 years (the average period between lake drying events) would have tragic consequences for the population. As the vehicle traffic of US Highway 27 has increased over time, so has the devastating effect of road mortality during both drought and non-drought years.

Does the temporary fence stop all wildlife from entering the roadway?

No. Species such as frogs, snapping turtles, large softshell turtles, alligators, snakes, and most mammals can climb over this low fence. The fence only covers 2000' - 3000' of the "killing zone". Areas where roads enter the highway are also dangerous avenues for turtles to travel on to the highway.

Is the temporary fence a long-term solution?

No. Despite the 8,800 turtles that have been saved, the fence we constructed is only a temporary short-term solution to this wildlife mortality problem. It is degrading rapidly to the point where it will soon be ineffective. The temporary fence must be maintained daily to ensure its effectiveness. The fence is often compromised by animals chewing it, small mammals that dig under it, highway maintenance equipment that cuts into it, trees that fall on to it, erosion, and vandals that destroy it. Thus a permanent ecopassage (guide wall and culvert system) is needed to replace the temporary fence so that this continuing wildlife mortality problem can be stopped..

These leopard frogs, toads, and hatchling turtles were killed in one day in March 2002 on US Highway 27 after crossing over the fence after a heavy rainstorm.

This river otter was killed immediately as she entered the roadway, after jumping over the temporary fence. Other mammals killed include beavers, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, armadillos, opossums, and raccoons.

This Florida softshell turtle climbed over the temporary fence and was hit on the road. Luckily we were able to take her off the road before she was completely crushed and she survived her injuries.

Why should we care if thousands of turtles and other wildlife from Lake Jackson are killed by vehicles each year?

Turtles are an important part of the lake ecosystem. Most turtles feed on dead and decaying matter in the lake. So, turtles essentially "clean" the lake. Our research has shown that turtles also eat many aquatic plants. Most notably, turtles feed heavily on the introduced aquatic menace, Hydrilla. By cleaning the water and eating the vegetation that "chokes out" the lake, turtles provide necessary habitat for fish (especially bass) and increase recreational opportunities for people. Without turtles the general ecosystem functioning would falter. Turtles and other wildlife are an integral part of Lake Jackson's ecosystem and should be protected in standing with Lake Jackson's designation as Florida's only lake Aquatic Preserve. This ecosystem was designated in 1974 as the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve "for the primary purpose of preserving and maintaining the biological resources in their essentially natural condition."

Why should motorists care that wildlife is kept off the highway?

Wildlife trespass on to the highway represents a major threat to motorist safety. Many adult turtles weigh at least 5 to 10 pounds and are essentially "rocks in the roadway". When turtles are hit they can act as dangerous projectiles, causing serious damage to vehicles and injury to occupants. A recent auto accident in Indian River County, Florida, involved a large turtle that was hit by a car and then crashed through another car's windshield. We have witnessed many near-misses where vehicles have stopped to help turtles or have attempted to veer around turtles in the roadway. On one occasion we observed a 3-car crash when a vehicle stopped to move a softshell turtle. Peak migration days can result in hundreds of turtles trespassing on to the highway. At night, a time when visibility is at its poorest, alligators often travel on to the roadway. We have documented an accident where a vehicle collided with a 7 foot alligator that was moving across the highway. Without a proper guidewall to keep turtles and other wildlife off of the highway, there is serious potential for vehicle accidents on a stretch of highway with 23,500 vehicles per day.

Overall Goal

Our goal is to work with Leon County, the Florida Department of Transportation, and other agencies to construct a permanent ecopassage to prevent future mortality of turtles and other wildlife. The Florida Department of Transportation and other agencies are in full support of this project. However, it is Leon County that is managing the preliminary phase of the project development and environmental assessment of the proposed project. Public support is an important part of convincing Leon County to make this a priority item so that a timely resolution can be reached. We have already received letters of support for this project from many organizations and government agencies such as the National Audubon Society, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In addition, hundreds of other letters from concerned citizens are pouring in from all over the world. But, many more letters are needed! Letters of support from the public, whether you live in Florida or not, are especially critical to our effort!

Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve Roadkill Fact Sheet

Take Action and Help Save the Turtles and Other Wildlife!!!

What can you do? There are 5 main ways you can directly help with this project:

1. Write letters urging public officials to support the US Highway 27 Lake Jackson Ecopassage, click here for more information on writing these letters.

2. Spread the word about the ecopassage project:

forward our website address (http://www.lakejacksonturtles.org) to people you know who might be interested
print out this flier ( format or format) or brochure ( or ) and distribute it to friends or post it at work;
if you maintain a website, please add a link to our page;
include an article about the ecopassage project in newsletters, magazines or other print media (we can write the article for you - just let us know);
contact your local newspaper or radio station and let them know about the project;
put one of our bumper stickers on your vehicle;
volunteer to man an information booth at your local mall or other local events;
give talks about the ecopassage project to school groups or other civic groups (or contact us to give the talk for you)

In order to read the PDF file you need to have a copy of Acrobat Reader. Click on the icon to download

3. Attend public meetings where the ecopassage will be discussed to show a unified group effort is behind this project.

4. Join us! Become a member of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance. Our volunteer members work as a team to meet with government officials, assist in public outreach by circulating information about the effort to construct a permanent ecopassage, and help monitor and maintain the temporary fence. If you would like to join, please email The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance at turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org or attend our meetings.

5. Donate:

financial contributions to purchase temporary fence materials, maintenance equipment, and other items that help us save wildlife;
advertising time or space (television, radio, print media, billboards) to help us raise awareness about the plight of the turtles;
office equipment (computer, fax machine, digital camera) to help us document our findings, communicate with the public, etc;

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.*

Checks should be made payable to: Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance and mailed to:

Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc.

P.O. Box 180891

Tallahassee, Florida 32318

ONLINE DONATIONS (via PayPal's secure server):

All donations will receive a complimentary Lake Jackson Ecopassage bumper sticker.

Please contact our office for further information turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org.

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization and registered Florida charity, registration # CH-15726, under the Solicitation of Contributions Act (Florida Statute 496). A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained in three ways: (1) from the Division of Consumer Services by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352); (2) from the Internal Revenue Service; or (3) from the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. office. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State of Florida. 100% of each contribution is retained by The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. Donations to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance are used primarily to construct and maintain the temporary fences along US Highway 27. The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance does not pay salaries to officers or other personnel and is completely staffed by volunteers.

*Contributions of gifts or gifts-in- kind are fully tax deductible as allowed by law. We provide tax receipts for all donations made to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. For gifts of less than $250, a canceled check is sufficient for IRS requirements. For larger gifts, you can use the tax receipt that we issue to you as a confirmation of your tax-deductible contribution.

Writing Letters of Support

Please write letters to the Leon County Commissioners, State Agencies, and Legislators listed below to express your strong support for the construction of a permanent wildlife ecopassage at US Highway 27 where it crosses northwest Lake Jackson, Leon County, Florida. The project we are proposing would be similar to the recently completed project along US Highway 441 at Paynes Prairie State Preserve south of Gainesville.

Important points to mention in your letter:

The four-lane, heavily traveled US Highway 27 is a major wildlife migration barrier during both drought years and when lake levels are normal. A well-designed ecopassage would solve a major wildlife road-mortality and traffic safety problem and save thousands of animals of the 60 reptile, amphibian, and mammal species documented attempting to cross US Highway 27. Additional information can be found in our Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve Roadkill Fact Sheet. Please send us a copy of your letter so we can keep track of the support for this project.

Thank you for your help! Many letters have been received by us so far and these letters are making a difference!

Letters from outside Florida are certainly encouraged - please do not feel that your voice will not be heard if you are not a resident of Florida. This project is of international significance and we have received hundreds of letters from outside of Florida.

Need help writing your letter of support? Please click here for a sample letter (or if you represent an organization) you can simply fill in and mail. You can also send an email or a FAX, but a letter is more effective. If you don't have time to send a letter to all of those on the list, please send one copy to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc and we will make copies and forward on your behalf (but please tell us that you want us to do that for you).

Please send letters of support for the Lake Jackson Ecopassage to:

Stephanie Kopelousos, Secretary

Florida Department of Transportation

605 Suwannee Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450

(850) 414-5205

FAX (850) 414-5201

The Honorable Charlie Crist, Governor, State of Florida
The Capitol

400 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399

(850) 488-4441

FAX (850) 922-4292

Leon County Board of County Commissioners
Leon County Courthouse, 5th Floor
301 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1853

(850) 488-9962

FAX (850) 488-1670

Michael W. Sole, Secretary
Department of Environmental Protection

3900 Commonwealth Blvd. M.S. 10

Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000

(850) 245-2011

The Honorable Alfred Lawson, Jr., Senator
Senate Office Building, Room 210
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5004
FAX (850) 487-5086

Ken Haddad, Executive Director
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

620 South Meridian St.

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

(850) 487-3796

FAX (850) 921-5786

Or if you prefer, you can send an email to us and we will forward it on your behalf:
Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 180891

Tallahassee, Florida 32318

email: turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org

Responses From Politicians and Agency Representatives:

Senator Al Lawson

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Past Events

Red Hills Horse Trials (March 7-9, 2003)
Fence Repair & Replacement Work Days (March 15-16, 2003)
Tallahassee Wildlife Festival (April 25, 2004)

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Supporters -The following organizations and companies support the building of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage. If your organization or company would like to help support the Lake Jackson Ecopassage, please send the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance your letter. Total supporters of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage, when including the membership of all supporting organizations, is now in excess of 13.4 million people. We thank all of you for your support!

Alachua Audubon Society

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

American Tortoise Rescue

Annie's Homegrown Organic Pasta

Apalachee Ecological Conservancy, Inc

Apalachee Land Conservancy

Auburn Herpetological Society

Betton Hills Neighborhood Association

California Turtle and Tortoise Club

Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network

The Canoe Shop

Center for North American Herpetology

Coastal Plains Institute

Conservation Services Southeast

Cornerstone Learning Community

Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society

Defenders of Wildlife

Ecology and Evolution Research Discussion Group, Florida State University

Environmental Services Program, Florida State University

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Lake Management Society

Florida Natural Areas Inventory

Florida Public Interest Research Group

Florida Turtle Conservation Trust

Florida Wildlife Federation

Friends of Lake Jackson

Gainesville Herpetological Society

Gopher Tortoise Council

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

Heart of the Earth

Herpetologists' League

Humane Society of the United States

Jacksonville Herpetological Society

Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc.

Leon County

Mid Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society

Minnesota Herpetological Society

National Audubon Society

National Wildlife Federation

Native Nurseries

New York Turtle and Tortoise Society

Northwest Florida Water Management District

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)

Paynes Prairie Wildlife Coalition

Saint Francis Wildlife Association

Saint Louis / Midwest Turtle & Tortoise Society

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

Sierra Club

Tortoise Trust

Turtle and Tortoise Club of Florida

United States Geological Survey

University of Georgia Herpetological Society

West End Animal Hospital

World Chelonian Trust

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Links - Find out what web sites around the world have linked to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage web site. There are currently over 50 sites linked to our site. If you know of others or find a broken link, please let us know. Use our bumper sticker design as an icon on your web page

Recognition (Awards) the Lake Jackson Ecopassage project has received:

2005 FAPA Award of Merit - This award is presented by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association and recognizes outstanding planning projects in the State of Florida that demonstrate innovation, transferability, quality, implementation, and comprehensiveness. An award ceremony was held as part of the opening session at the FAPA State Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, on September 8, 2005.
2005 Florida State University Graduate Student Leadership Award - This award recognizes outstanding graduate student leaders who make a positive difference in their scholarly or creative community, the campus community or the community at large. The recipient of this prestigious award, selected by a faculty and student committee, exhibits strong leadership skills through such activities as peer mentoring, teaching, research, publishing, creative work, service and/or participation in professional association activities.
2004 Wildlife Conservationist of the Year - This award is presented annually by the Florida Wildlife Federation. Honorees are selected for their dedicated efforts on behalf of Florida's fish and wildlife resources. Press Release
2004 Walter Turken Award - This award is presented annually by the Humane Society of Collier County "in recognition of contributions to the advancement of animal welfare".
2003 Cypress Award - This award is presented annually by the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club to recognize individuals "Contributing Greatly to the Public's Environmental Awareness."
2003 Purple Paw Award - This award is presented annually by the Leon County Humane Society to people and pets who show bravery and courage in the face of adversity. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco on 4 October 2003.
Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful "We Noticed!" Award - The award recognizes Leon County's environmental heroes that serve as catalysts for positive change in the community. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco on 14 November 2002
Florida State University Student Profiles of Service Award, 2001 - This award is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs (Center for Civic Education and Service) recognizing individual students who demonstrate exemplary commitment to community service at campus, local, national, or international levels. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco on 15 November 2001
Certificate of Appreciation - Lake Jackson Turtle Rescue, Leon County, Florida, Lake Jackson Restoration Awards Ceremony. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco in October 2001

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Species Rescued by the Fence or found Dead on the Road

(#s updated 16 April 2008)

The two most abundant turtle species:


4,249 Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta)	3,806 Florida cooters (Pseudemys floridana)

Other turtle & tortoise species:

Musk turtle. Click to see a larger version

873 Musk turtles

(Sternotherus odoratus)

Florida softshell turtle. Click to see a much larger version

313 Florida softshells

(Apalone ferox)

Eastern mud turtle. Click to see a larger version

102 Eastern mud turtles

(Kinosternon subrubrum)

Common snapping turtle. Click to see a larger version

18 common snapping turtles

(Chelydra serpentina)

Chicken turtle. Click to see a much larger version

6 chicken turtles

(Deirochelys reticularia)

Suwannee cooter. Click to see a much larger version

3 Suwannee cooters

(Pseudemys concinna)

Box turtle. Click to see a much larger version

59 Box turtles

(Terrapene carolina)

In addition to the aquatic turtles rescued by this temporary fence, two species of terrestrial turtles were found at the fence.

All the species of turtles have been found dead on the road.

Gopher tortoise. Click to see a much larger version

13 Gopher tortoises

(Gopherus polyphemus)

Other reptile and amphibian species rescued by the fence or found dead on the road (indicated with asterisk): (click here for photos of these species)

Mud snake

Snakes (16 species)

Florida green water snake, Nerodia floridana*
Banded water snake, Nerodia fasciata*
Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus*
Black racer, Coluber constrictor*
Corn snake, Elaphe guttata*
Ribbon snake, Thamnophis sauritus
Garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis*
Eastern kingsnake, Lampropeltis getulus*
Black swamp snake, Seminatrix pygaea*
Mud snake, Farancia abacura*
Red-bellied snake, Storeria occipitomaculata
Ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus
Gray rat snake, Elaphe obsoleta spiloides*
Rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus
Scarlet snake, Cemophora coccinea copei*
Coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum

Lizards (6 species)

Eastern glass lizard, Ophisaurus ventralis*
Green anole, Anolis carolinensis*
Five-lined skink, Eumeces fasciatus
Ground skink, Scincella lateralis
Broad-headed skink, Eumeces laticeps
Six-lined racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus*

Eastern glass lizard

Crocodilian (1 species)

American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis*

* Found dead on road

Salamanders (2 species)

Two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means
Central newt, Notophthalmus viridescens

Pig frog

Frogs & Toads (9 species)

Pig frog, Rana grylio*
Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana*
Leopard frog, Rana sphenocephala*
Green tree frog, Hyla cinerea*
Squirrel tree frog, Hyla squirella
Florida cricket frog, Acris gryllus*
Southern toad, Bufo terrestris*
Narrowmouthed toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis*
Eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrooki*

Mammals and birds observed at the fence or found dead on the road (indicated with asterisk):

Mammals (17 species)

Beaver, Castor canadensis*
Bobcat, Lynx rufus*
Cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus
Coyote, Canis latrans*
Eastern woodrat, Neotoma floridana*
Gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus*
Gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis*
Marsh rabbit, Sylvilagus palustris*
Marsh rice rat, Oryzomys palustris*
Nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus*
Oldfield mouse, Peromyscus polionotus*
Opossum , Didelphis virginiana*
Raccoon, Procyon lotor*
Red fox, Vulpes vulpes*
River otter, Lutra canadensis*
White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus*
Wild boar, Sus scrofa

* Found dead on road

Birds (27 species)

American Coot, Fulica americana*
American Robin, Turdus migratorius*
Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga*
Barn Owl, Tyto alba*
Barred Owl, Strix varia*
Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum*
Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus*
Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis*
Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula*
Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor*
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas*
Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii*
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus*
Eastern Screech Owl, Otus asio*
Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus*
Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus*
Green Heron, Butorides virescens*
Mourning Dove, Zenaida aurita*
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis*
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos*
Purple Gallinule, Porphyrula martinica*
Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis*
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus*
Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana*
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus*
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius*
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata*

●●74 birds of the 27 species have been found dead on the highway●●

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Media Coverage of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Project

This wildlife rescue fence has received attention from local, state, national, and international media sources. Click on the following links to read more:

Turtles and Tires in Tallahassee, Washington Post, June 30, 2009

Biologist Sticks His Neck Out For Endangered Turtles, Gainesville Sun, June 29, 2009

Biologist Sticks His Neck Out For Endangered Turtles, Ocala Star-Banner, June 29, 2009

Funding For Wildlife Crossing Spurs Backlash, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, June 28, 2009

Turtle Lives Hinge On Eco-Passage, The Lakeland Ledger, June 27, 2009

It's Not Just Turtles: Ecopassage Makes Sense In Many Ways, Tallahassee Democrat, June 24, 2009

Wildlife Corridors Needed, Pensacola News Journal, June 23, 2009

Officials Defend Eco-passage, Tallahassee Democrat, June 22, 2009

The Case in Favor Of A $3Million Turtle Tunnel, AllGov, June 22, 2009

$3.4 Million Turtle "eco-passage" Designed to Protect Animals and People, Tallahassee Democrat, June 21, 2009

Ecoviews: Let The Stimulus Funds Save The Turtles in Fla., Tuscaloosa News, June 21, 2009

Is Florida's "Turtle Tunnel" Really a Waste?, OnEarth Magazine, June 19, 2009

Florida Turtle Tunnel Protects Motorists Too, Humane Society Legislative Fund, June 19, 2009

Wildlife Underpass Skewered: Founder Fires Back, FloridaEnvironment.com, June 17, 2009

More To Florida Turtle Crossing Than Oklahoma. Sen. Coburn Claims, Palm Beach Post, June 16, 2009

Lake Jackson Ecopassage Advances At A Turtle's Pace, Tallahassee Democrat, January 10, 2009

Leon County Commission sets state, federal priorities, Tallahassee Democrat, October 14, 2008
Wildlife-crossing structure designed, but not yet funded, Tallahassee Democrat, June 16, 2007
Teen moves turtles from drought-stricken pond, Tallahassee Democrat, June 16, 2007
Lives depend on ecopassage, Tallahassee Democrat, February 4, 2007
Counties accept ecopassage study, Tallahassee Democrat, January 23, 2007
Lower turtle numbers causing concern, Charlotte Sun-Herald, January 19, 2007
Though sturdy survivors, turtles prove to be ill equipped for human threat, New York Times, December 12, 2006
County seeks $4.5 million for Lake Jackson Ecopassage, Tallahassee Democrat, November 29, 2006
Project steers turtles off roads, Washington Times, July 31, 2006
Splat! Why did the turtle cross the road? Science Shots: Science Magazine, April 2006
County Approves PD&E, Tallahassee Democrat, February 15, 2006

In His Own Words - Dr Aresco speaks with Barry Fraser, Voices of the Red Hills, December 3, 2005

"Lake Jackson Ecopassage: Turtle-lovers and Soccer Moms unite" Fall 2005 District 3 Newsletter

Turtle Rescuer Given A New Set of Wheels, Tallahassee Democrat, June 5, 2005
Wildlife Underpass Gets Early Nod, Tallahassee Democrat, May 24, 2005
Coming Out Of Their Shells, Tallahassee Democrat, May 17, 2005
Truck Stolen From Turtle Rescuer, Tallahassee Democrat, May 10, 2005
Activist Saves Turtles, Current Science, April 22, 2005
One small step: he brakes for turtles. Sierra Magazine, November 2004 PDF
Making A Way For Critters, Tampa Tribune, September 2, 2004
The Snapper, Wildlife Conservation, Jerry Shine, August 2004
Crossing Guard, Wild Neighbor News, Humane Society of the United States, Summer 2004
Shell struck in Florida, National Wildlife Magazine, April/May 2004 PDF
Following The Herd, GFR Engineering Solutions, Janet Cass, April 2004
2003 Award ceremony coverage in the Spring 2004 Pelican Newsletter of the Sierra Club, Florida Chapter
Ecopassages Make Roads Safer for Humans and Wildlife Ecoviews by Whit Gibbons 22 February 2004
"A turtle hero" Florida Lakewatch Newsletter, Volume XXVI 2003
"Pet project rolls out the red carpet", Tallahassee Democrat, 30 September 2003
"Lake Jackson Ecopassage: Where Road Safety Meets Environmental Protection" Summer 2003 District 3 Newsletter
"Florida Activist Sticks His Neck Out For Turtles" July Issue EnviroAction 2003
"Looking for a pet? Take a turtle tutorial", Times Record, by Pam Cloud, 10 June 2003
"Lake Jackson Crossing", Tallahassee Democrat, 23 April 2003
"Ecopassages Could Lead To Environmentally Friendly Highways", Ecoviews, by Whit Gibbons, 15 April 2003
"A Road Paved With Turtles", BBC Wildlife Magazine, by Jakob Dulisse, February Issue 2003
"Student seeks safe path for migrating turtles", Boston Globe, by Debra Weyermann 20 January 2003
"Sticking his neck out for turtles", St. Petersburg Times, by Julie Hauserman, 15 December 2002

[NOTE: This article was picked up by the Florida Associated Press and appeared in many Florida newspapers including the Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, St. Augustine Record, Naples Daily News, Gainesville Sun, Walton Sun, Bradenton Herald, Stuart News, Lakeland Ledger, Polk Online, Florida Times-Union, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Palm Beach Post on Dec 22nd and 23rd; nationally it appeared in the Washington Times, the Evansville Courier & Press, Arkansas Morning News, and many other papers across the United States]