Turtles' Local Advocates: Wildlife Rescue Center in Ballwin

Turns out, I am not the only one worried about turtles on roads and highways in west St. Louis County.

See Friday morning Patch article and poll: 

In fact, Penelope Beache, executive director of resource development for the Wildlife Rescue Center south of Ballwin contacted Patch to share the news that the center's team is so worried, they are in the midst of launching a new campaign to try to curb the decreasing number of turtles in the area.

"Due to the lost of habitat, and to turtles hit on highways, there are alarmingly diminishing numbers of turtles," Beache said.

She said they would like everyone in the West St. Louis County area to know about the center's rescue/rehabilitate/rerelease and foster care program for turtles.

As positive fate would have it (perhaps good karma from picking up turtles off roadways in attempt to keep them safer), the Wildlife Rescue Center is hosting an annual Open House on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beache said once a year they conduct such an event, and have to limit access the rest of the year due to protecting the animals' health and recoveries. (For GPS purposes, the center's mailing address is 1128 New Ballwin Rd., Ballwin  63021.) The center is near Castlewood State Park. which enables readers to rate and review the organization.

At Saturday's open house, Beache said they will cover details about their turtle program, including reconstructing shells and vital turtle habitat components.

"It's a critical time of year for us at the center, because there are many displaced turtles and baby animals that well-intentioned people fear are abandoned," Beache said.

In addition, she said they will be conducting a golf tournament fundraiser at in Eureka on May 21, so that's another way to support their turtle rescuing and wildlife recovery efforts.

"We'd love to channel everyone's energies right here, and share through public education how important it is to keep wildlife, even turtles, in their natural habitats whenever possible," Beache said.