We turn next to turtles, and their interesting relationship with…electrical transmission lines. This week about three dozen power company employees, contractors and state wildlife experts attended an unusual training in Agawam, Massachusetts. Nesting in sand and gravel, the protected Eastern Box Turtle is right at home under the power lines. Eversource requires those who work under those lines — either to mow, or use heavy equipment — to take the so-called “turtle class” annually. It’s to help them identify and move turtles out of harm’s way. Frank Poirot of Eversource tells New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy that the class gives the contractors something to think about.
Click the audio player above to hear an audio postcard from a workshop all about protected turtle species that New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy attended in Agawam.