Investing in our Future [Terrapin] Stewards

Tiny terrapins, most only measuring a few inches in length, were introduced to their new marshy homes this May thanks to the Little Egg Harbor School District and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. For a few months, teachers and their students cared for the young turtles and, in doing so, gave them the extra boost that they needed to face life in the wild. 

Since 2020, LEHSD and CWF have been collaborating on a Northern diamondback terrapin head-start project, aimed at enhancing terrapin populations while empowering students to get involved in supporting their local ecosystems.

The elementary students and their parents and teachers gathered in the Tuckerton marshes with tubs full of this year’s batch of turtles. As the terrapins eagerly wriggled and climbed over each other in the containers, the students crowded around to say their goodbyes to the little critters they had come to know and love. Thanks to the variety of markings that diamondback terrapins develop, it was easy for the children to identify their favorites from the classroom and give them an earnest farewell. 

Before the terrapins were released, Senior Wildlife Biologist at CWF, Ben Wurst, held a short talk about the importance of the project. Not only were they giving the turtles a leg-up in the fight for survival, but they were also making use of newly-accessible marshland.

“With threats like climate change, terrapins are going to lose their historic nesting spots. Creating habitat like this is going to be key to their long-term survival,” Wurst said.

After a break for attendees to ask questions, it was time to let the turtles go. One by one, they were set on the banks, free to swim off into the distance. Every so often, they would peek their heads above the water before again vanishing into the glittering current, all while the happy group of humans stood by in support. All of that hard work had at last paid off, and now the teachers and students could take pride in the impact they made on their home ecosystem. CWF hopes that after this experience, the students will continue to act as stewards for the environment and carry a life-long appreciation for nature.

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