Help Name The Forest Preserve’s New Turtle Ambassador

The Forest Preserve District of Will County needs help naming its new resident turtle at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.

The 7-year-old female Blanding’s turtle replaces a previous turtle, Buddy, who will return to a breeding program designed to increase the state-endangered species’ numbers.

The new female has a genetic mutation that prohibits her from returned to the wild. So she’s a better fit to become a turtle ambassador at the museum. She will help educate the public on the plight of the turtles and the regional effort to help save them from extinction.

Here is how you can participate: Vote at Facebook.com/WillCoForests or Twitter.com/WillCoForests by commenting on the turtle-naming post with the name you like best. Here are the five choices:

Marigold: Both the flower and this turtle are equally colorful.
Mshike’: The Algonquin name for "turtle" would provide a perfect connection to the 18th-century programming at the museum.
Shelly: It fits, right?
Taco: Because everyone loves hard-shell tacos.
Terra: A firm option for this land-based creature.

Voting is open now through noon Wednesday, May 30. The top selection will be announced the following week.

For more information on the Forest Preserve District and Isle a la Cache Museum, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.