Provided/A terrapin crosses the Margate causeway to reach higher nesting grounds.
By STEVE JASIECKI
MARGATE – Spring is here and soon terrapin turtles will be racing across the causeway in search of nesting areas on higher ground. Unfortunately, a slow-moving turtle is no match for a speeding car and far too often the turtle loses the race while crossing the road.
Enter the Margate Terrapin Rescue Project, a group of volunteers dedicated to the protection and conservation of the cuddly reptiles. Cuddly? Well maybe not, but they are in need of protection and the rescue project is here to help.
On Saturday, May 6, the crew will be repairing and installing turtle barriers along the Margate causeway. This will help prevent the terrapins from entering the roadway and give them a much better chance of survival.
The black corrugated fencing forms a barrier that prevents the turtles from entering the road. The females can then dig their nest and lay their eggs where they will remain safe from vehicles.
The rescue project is seeking volunteers and equipment to repair and install the barriers along the nearly 2-mile causeway. Volunteers will meet at the maintenance yard near the foot of the Margate toll bridge at 8 a.m. Groups will be formed to tackle the different sections of the roadway.
Volunteers are asked to bring what equipment they can to install the fencing. Shovels, trenching tools, wire cutters, cordless drills/screw guns, mallets/ hammers and rakes are the tools needed for the installation. Children over age 8 are welcome to help clean-up the roadside and marshes and even help dig the trenches or move the barriers around.
Terrapin turtles play an important role in maintaining the balance of the saltmarsh. Roadside mortality has been significantly reduced since the instillation of the turtle fencing. Protecting the terrapins also protects the saltmarsh and ensures sustainability for the future.
Volunteers will be required to sign an electronic waiver for every person in your group, including children, before volunteering.
To volunteer, see https://www.margateterrapinrescue.org/upcoming-events.html
The consent form can be found at https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/fqbjebwsqbqa8xcxi8vfvs/web/
