Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for October–December 2025
Restoring Bog Habitat to Support Recovery of the Southern Lineage of Bog Turtles by Gabrielle Graeter, Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Reptiles, Western Region; and Rosie Ronca, Wildlife Technician, Reptiles, Western Region
T he southern lineage of the bog turtle ( Glyptemys muhlenber- gii ) is Threatened at both the federal (T-S/A) and state level and is pending evaluation for full federal listing via a Species Status Assessment by the USFWS. Bog turtles are listed due to several factors, with habitat loss and degradation primary driv- ers. Over the past few decades, the NCWRC reptile team has worked to support high-quality habitat for bog turtles through invasive plant species removal, woody vegetation management, and hydrological restoration. This work is especially important following the damage that some bogs incurred during Hurricane Helene, which brought disastrous flooding to the North Caro- lina mountain region in September 2024. Due to the timing of the storm, our 2024 fall habitat resto- ration plan had to be postponed as we transitioned to rapidly assessing storm impacts to the bogs. In October 2025, we were able to carry out the habitat restoration work that was planned for one year prior at three high-priority bog sites. We started the month at a Wilkes County site that features multiple wetland areas connected by a small stream. While parts of this wetland complex have open canopy bog habitat that is well suited for bog turtles, there are also sections that have become overgrown with tall woody vegetation and invasive species. This has also dried out what was once valuable habitat for foraging and
nesting. With the help of Amphibian Reptile Conservancy (ARC) staff and other volunteers, we spent three days removing alders and maples to open up the canopy in two areas. Next, we spent two days working in one section of an exten- sive wetland complex in Alleghany County. We partnered with NC Natural Heritage Program staff and other volunteers to remove more maples and maintain the core habitat dominated by herbaceous plants. Finally, we worked with partners from ARC in a Transylvania County bog to remove woody vegetation. Like the other sites, our goal was to remove alders and maples, allowing more sunlight on the ground and better water retention in the core habitat areas. However, we also worked to remove Murdannia keisak, an extremely invasive plant that grows rapidly in wetland habitats. This site has had Murdannia for many years and we have worked to manage the population through pulling, tarping, and reseed- ing with native plants. Additionally, we repaired and added log sills in locations where head-cut channels had developed or worsened during Hurricane Helene. Restoring habitat for the bog turtles is necessary for the long- term continuation of these three bog turtle populations. Through our efforts, we have ensured there is adequate suitable habitat for basking, nesting, productive foraging, and overwintering.
Before and after photo of one bog section at the Wilkes County site. Removing alders and other tall woody vegetation resulted in an additional open-canopy area, with more sunlight reaching the ground. (Tree in upper left of photos for reference.)
GABRIELLE GRAETER/NCWRC
GABRIELLE GRAETER/NCWRC
Before (left) and after (right) image of log sill installation placed by hand by Rosie Ronca (NCWRC) and Emilly Nolan (ARC) in October 2025. Log sills are a low impact way to restore hy- drology in a bog and slow water from draining out of the wetland.
GABRIELLE GRAETER/NCWRC
GABRIELLE GRAETER/NCWRC
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