SCT seeks volunteers to locate turtle nests

Southern Conservation Trust has a unique opportunity for community involvement with the Box Turtle Population Enhancement Project at The Ridge Nature Area in Fayetteville. Each day volunteers are searching popular turtle nesting areas to locate and protect new nests.

“It’s important that we locate the nests as soon as possible to keep predators from destroying the nests,” said Dennis Chase, project director. “So far this season we have already protected several nests and rescued about 20 eggs that were in compromised locations that are now in incubation at Clayton State University.”

Volunteers are needed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day through the third week of July. To volunteer, contact Dennis Chase via e-mail and include a phone number for coordination: [email protected] or visit Doodle and sign up at http://doodle.com/ki985wn9es4qisrf#table.

Individuals and families whom can’t volunteer may be interested in the Adopt-A-Turtle program to help preserve turtle habitat and provide tools for conservation. This is an opportunity to involve children and grandchildren. Children can even create unique names for “their” turtles. Information can be found at www.sctlandtrust.org.

The research project is a joint project between SCT and Dr. Diane Day from Clayton State University. In the last several years, more than 750 turtles have been identified making this research one of the largest box turtle investigative projects in Georgia.  

The intent for the 2015 nesting season is to locate females in the process of nesting and provide a protective cover. Nesting takes place from late June to mid-July. SCT board members and volunteers will be on site everyday through July 18.