Jasper ’25 works with Mass Audubon to spread awareness and keep Diamondback Terrapin turtle nests safe for the 2024 season.
The Race to Save the Diamondback Terrapin
My summer project was to aid in the research and conservation of the Diamondback Terrapins on Cape Cod for the 2024 Nesting Season and to increase awareness of this threatened species to the summer 2024 tourists in Wellfleet Bay, Cape Cod.
I began my project with mandatory training by Mass Audubon so I could volunteer with a preservationist and research team at the Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary. I also created materials for public outreach to inform the summer visitors and residents on the ecological importance of this threatened species in maintaining the balance of the saltwater marshes on Cape Cod Bay.
Throughout the course of my project, I learned that pairing a project with an established organization like Mass Audubon is very effective as they have a team of volunteers and employees that are available and motivated. I was able to hone my skills from the experience of the field leaders when conducting research and protecting nests. In total I was part of a research team that protected 116 nests, an increase from 92 in summer 2023.
I also learned that public outreach can be successful if paired with an event that is conducive to dissemination by aligning with the attendees of the event. I handed out stickers and shared information at two events both in Wellfleet Bay, the first was the 50th Anniversary Annual Wellfleet 5 Mile Road Race and the second was the Weekly Wellfleet Farmer’s Market and Concert.
My grant project was successful as I not only learned about marine ecology and how we have an obligation to protect our threatened species, but I also engaged in purposeful storytelling by creating stickers, t-shirts, a video and a website/storymap to share at public events as a call to action.
