Maritime Aquarium Announces Terrapin Tracking Training Session

NORWLAK, CT — The Maritime Aquarium is seeking volunteers to join its terrapin tracking team to protect northern diamondback terrapins, a species of concern in Connecticut.

Virtual training sessions will be held March 28 and April 3 at 7 p.m. for those interested in joining the team, according to a news release provided by the aquarium.

"As a species of concern in Connecticut, Northern Diamondback Terrapins population is considered low and at risk without human intervention," VP of Education Tom Naiman said in a news release. "Community scientists who join our terrapin tracking team will play a critical role is monitoring our local population, which will inform scientists who study local ecosystems."

These terrapins can be found in the brackish water of the coast and often must cross roadways to reach their nesting sites in marshes and dunes. This puts them at an increased risk for car strikes leading up to and through mating season which peaks in June and July, according to the aquarium.

In the aquarium's virtual training sessions, volunteers will learn how to collect data and monitor roadways for mortalities. After the training, volunteers will be assigned a roadway to monitor weekly through August.

The programs are free to attend. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a trained adult to participate.

More information is available at www.maritimeaquarium.org/community-science.