Youth Conservation Team Update
Our Youth Conservation Team (YCT) is a group of teenage volunteers with a passion for wildlife and helping the environment. Our team has been busy this year! They kicked off the year with a talk on Sea Turtle Cold-Stunning and the work of the New York Marine Rescue Center. Our teens collected many supplies to present to NYMRC for helping them through their busy cold-stun season! In February and March, our team held brainstorming sessions to discuss their future projects and interests. They researched conservation careers, the importance of native habitats, and ideas for sharing their love of wildlife with the community. Next month, YCT will collaborate with Friends of the Bay helping to clean up Beekman Beach in Oyster Bay right in time for wildlife nesting season!
YCT just launched an instagram page – check it out! @youthconservationwcli
Click here more information about YCT and how to join!
Upcoming Events
Education Festivals
Join us at the following events in April!
Meet our wildlife ambassadors, education staff & volunteers!
April 5th 2pm-4pm
Cold Spring Harbor Library Environmental Fair
click here for more info
April 26th 10am-4pm
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery Spring Festival
click here for more info
April 26th 2pm
Nassau County Museum of Art Earth Day
click here for more info
Patient Spotlight
Diamondback Terrapin
This small turtle is a 1-year old Diamondback Terrapin. She was recently surrendered after being kept as a pet. Reptiles have very specific housing, husbandry, & dietary needs and require expert care. Additionally, it is illegal to take any wild animal and try to keep them as a pet.
This turtle was very sick when brought to us. She has a respiratory infection, bilateral eye infections, and a fungal infection to her shell. Our rehabilitators are administering fluids, medications, proper nutrition and providing special UV/heat lighting. We are keeping a close eye on this turtle and are cautiously optimistic she will make a full recovery.
In New York State, Diamondback Terrapins are considered a “species of special concern” and are vulnerable due to habitat loss, over-harvesting, and other human-related activities. Our rehabilitation center admits several terrapins each year with the goal of returning them to their rightful home in nature. If this young terrapin patient recovers, she will be released back to the wild with a second chance.