STONE HARBOR — Tiny turtles and young learners trekked into the marsh June 3 as The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor held its annual Terrapin Release with the kindergarten class of Stone Harbor Elementary School.
The retired teacher who began the partnership with The Wetlands Institute (TWI) 35 years ago attended the event, which kicked off the first of several terrapin releases this season.
Institute mascot Scute enthusiastically cheered on Stone Harbor Elementary School kindergarten students as they coaxed 17 young diamondback terrapins into their natural habitat.
TWI’s team salvaged eggs from female terrapins killed on roads during the 2025 nesting season. Using incubators, they cared for and hatched the eggs under permit by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Staff from Stockton University in Galloway Township and Widener University in Chester, Pa., raised the hatchlings over the past year. Teachers and students from across New Jersey who participate in the Terrapins in the Classroom program also provided the “head-starting” care. That allowed the hatchlings to grow larger than they would have over the same period in the wild.
TWI’s Lisa Ferguson, director of research and conservation, and Brian Williamson, research scientist, demonstrated how to gently hold and safely release the animals. They taught students the “turtle handshake” and told them how the young reptiles will grow and survive in the marsh.
Students then donned turtle T-shirts — a gift from The Wetlands Institute staff. The kindergartners presented the team with a colorful giant mural of terrapins in their salt marsh habitat — complete with names they chose for their turtles.
They presented staff with $300 they raised through turtle cookie sales. Sturdy Savings Bank presented a matching $300 gift — also an annual tradition.
Students then made their way to the marsh to release their turtles. Waving goodbye to Shadow, Snowflake, Unicorn, Ted, Daisy, Hugo, Rainbow, two Audreys and the other turtles, they bid farewell to their shelled friends.
“This terrapin release connects our research, conservation and education efforts aimed at promoting appreciation for and protection of coastal wetlands,” said Lenore P. Tedesco, TWI executive director. “Terrapins play a critical role in our coastal ecosystem, supporting life on Earth. However, they face road mortality, habitat loss and nest predation.”
“Part of our broader Terrapin Research and Conservation Program, the event creates a lasting experience for these future stewards of the marsh. It also highlights the support and partnerships that help fuel our mission,” Tedesco continued. “I’m so grateful for our visitors; board members; individual, corporate and local business donors; partners; volunteers; interns; and our dedicated year-round and seasonal staff.”
“This annual event represents the power of community coming together for conservation for over three decades,” Ferguson said. “It was extraordinarily special to have Roberta Dean, retired kindergarten teacher, who suggested the institute partner with Stone Harbor Schools back in 1991, along with current teacher Brie Schenck. We’re not sure who has more fun — the students or the staff.”