Words by Tess Becker
The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle in North America. The little creature makes a home in slow-moving fresh water and regularly migrates as its habitats change with the season or dry up.
A Connecticut dry cleaner, Best Cleaners, realized their store was right in the middle of a migration route and decided to help the transitory turtles.
Each year the employees go from working on clothes to picking up turtles to help the little creatures cross a busy two-lane road to lay their eggs. Then a few months later they have to look out for the hatchlings for that same brood.
“Every summer, we’re always looking at our feet because we don’t want to step on them,” assistant manager Jennifer Malon told the Washington Post.
Though neither rare nor endangered they are important indicator species and can be used as an indicator of the integrity of the ecosystem as a whole, checking on the health of the surrounding wildlife based on their individual health.
“We have all helped bring at least one turtle across,” Malon said. “We’re used to it now; it’s part of the job almost.”
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This organization helps support the fauna throughout the Florida ocean and nature. Find out more and support them here.
Florida Bicycle Association. An organization that helps mobilize people and promote greener living and safer biking. Find out more.
Collective Sun. They help nonprofits get outfitted with solar power capabilities. Check them out here.
