City Council’s decision to support turtle protection on local roads is money well spent.

Recent expansions to Princess St. have hazardously infringed on turtle-nesting territory. Some turtles have been struck and killed as they attempt to cross roads and reach nesting areas.

In order to prevent further deaths, the Turtles Kingston environmental group is seeking funds to install fencing along these nesting territories. If the public raises $30,600 in donations, the City will match that total dollar-for-dollar.

Turtles Kingston should be commended for their commitment to protecting turtles, and Council should be praised for their supportive response.

Kingston has benefited from the road extensions, and it’s time to pay the price. Like any other project, certain payments and considerations need to be made.

It’s important to recognize that humans created the danger by infringing on the turtles’ habitats; it’s our moral obligation to mitigate the hazard. $30,600 is a negligible amount for Council to pledge, especially considering that snapping turtles are a special concern species under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act.

In future, such road expansion projects need to be handled with better care. Areas need to be thoroughly canvassed to identify hazards and potential risks to wildlife, so that preventative measures can be taken.

We’ve done enough damage already. It’s time we prevent that which is easily preventable.

— Journal Editorial Board