Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand today announced the Town will partner with Friends of the Bay to host a Diamondback Terrapin Monitoring and Beach Cleanup Day, on Saturday, June 26, from 9 – 11 a.m. at Centre Island Beach in Bayville (rain date: June 27).

 

“The Town of Oyster Bay is home to a large population of Diamondback Terrapins, a small species of turtle that lives in fresh or brackish water and has distinctive diamond-shaped rings covering its shell,” Councilman Hand said. “We recently launched Team Terrapin, a joint project with Friends of The Bay, to help protect this species whose conservation status is “Near Threatened.”

 

During this Terrapin Monitoring and Beach Cleanup Event, volunteers will be trained to identify signs of nesting terrapins and build protective cages around them. These structures keep natural predators like raccoons and fox away from the terrapins, thus contributing to their survival. Alternatively, volunteers will also have the option to participate in a beach cleanup.

 

“A part of the Team Terrapin Initiative, this event will give families, scouts, religious groups, and students the opportunity to do their part in working to save a “Near Threatened” species and keep litter from accumulating on our shorelines.” Councilman Hand concluded. “I thank Friends of the Bay for cosponsoring this critical event with the Town.”

 

All those interested in participating must register in advance online at

https://www.friendsofthebay.org/upcoming-volunteer-opportunity.html.