Diamondback Terrapin Protection Program

Join Our Turtle Protection Team!

Orenda Wildlife Land Trust is seeking your help protecting Diamondback Terrapins at our “Turtle Garden” located on one of our sanctuaries in West Barnstable, where they have been nesting in large numbers for years. Terrapins are listed as “threatened” in Massachusetts due to various factors including over-harvesting in the 19th century, predation, traffic, and habitat loss. We are conducting habitat management, nest identification and protection, and hatching observation and assistance.

⇒ Terrapin Protection Team Resources

Terrapins spend most of their lives in the salt marsh. Each summer, females lay their eggs in sandy areas above the high tide line. Eggs hatch in the late summer and early fall and the hatchlings make their way to the upper rim of the marsh, where they mature for several years before entering the larger marsh area.

If you are a volunteer interested in being part of our Turtle Protection Team, please email us at Turtles@orendalandtrust.org to arrange to join us for an upcoming volunteer training session:

  • Saturday, May 25, 2024: Returning Volunteers – 10 AM, New Volunteers – 11:30 AM

  • Saturday, June 1, 2024: Returning Volunteers – 10 AM, New Volunteers – 11:30 AM

Both training sessions will take place at the Margaret Wyman Sanctuary at 194 Meadow Lane in West Barnstable

  

2024 Terrapin Adoption Program

You can support the work we do at our Turtle Garden Sanctuary by symbolically adopting a Diamondback Terrapin, Hatchling or Nest. Your adoption directly benefits our continued efforts to preserve and maintain the required nesting beds and habitat for the terrapins. Due to the generosity of donors like you, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust will be able to protect and monitor nests, collect important data, and release hatchlings into Barnstable Great Marsh.

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