Help Us Protect Collinsville’s Box Turtles During Fourth of July Festivities

For many families in Collinsville, OK the annual turtle races during Fourth of July celebrations are tied to happy childhood memories, community fun, and long-standing tradition. This petition is not being created to shame those memories or attack the people who have participated over the years. Most people involved have always had good intentions.

However, as we continue learning more about wildlife conservation and the impact displacement has on native turtles, many members of our community feel it is time to reconsider the use of live turtles in these events and explore safer alternatives.

Box turtles are not highly migratory animals. In fact, they spend most of their lives within very small home territories they rely on for food, water, shelter, nesting, and survival. Research and wildlife experts have repeatedly shown that when box turtles are removed from those territories — even temporarily — they can become stressed, disoriented, dehydrated, and struggle to survive afterward, if they do.

Displaced turtles often:

Spend long periods trying to return home
Cross roads more frequently, increasing the risk of injury or death
Experience stress from excessive handling, loud environments, and heat exposure
Become vulnerable to predators and habitat disruption
Fail to survive after relocation

While the turtle races may have once been viewed as harmless entertainment, many residents now feel that continuing to use live wildlife in this way no longer reflects the compassion, conservation awareness, and respect for nature that our community values today.

This petition is not asking Collinsville to abandon family traditions or community fun. Instead, we are encouraging the city to evolve the event into something that preserves the spirit of the tradition while protecting local wildlife.

Possible alternatives could include:

Wooden or toy turtle races
Wildlife education booths
Turtle-themed kids activities and games
Conservation partnerships

Or even something entirely different, like pie contests, sack races, etc.

Traditions can grow with us. They do not have to disappear in order to improve.

We respectfully ask the City of Collinsville and Fourth of July event organizers to:

Review the impact live turtle races may have on local wildlife.
Consult with wildlife conservation experts and organizations.
Consider retiring the use of live turtles in city-sponsored races.
Explore wildlife-safe alternatives for future celebrations.

As a community, we have the opportunity to lead with both heart and responsibility.

Now that we know better, we can do better. 💛🐢

If this message resonates with you, please consider signing and sharing this petition to help encourage a thoughtful, wildlife-safe evolution of this long-standing community tradition.

Every signature helps show that this conversation is not about anger or division — it’s about compassion, education, and protecting the native wildlife that shares our community with us.

Together, we can preserve the spirit of Collinsville’s Fourth of July celebrations while creating traditions future generations can feel proud of.