Old North News

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is calling for volunteers to participate in the 2025 Terrapin Tally. This annual event, organized in collaboration with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and other partners, aims to gather population data on diamondback terrapins across the state.

The initiative involves conducting kayak surveys at specific times and locations to capture a snapshot of the terrapin population. These surveys help track population trends over time. Volunteers are required to register for a training session where they will learn how to use a smartphone application for data collection and can sign up for field sessions scheduled between April 25 and June 15.

Elizabeth Pinnix, Coastal Reserve southern sites manager, expressed enthusiasm about continuing this effort: "Many NC Coastal Reserve sites provide ideal habitat for diamondback terrapins, and we are excited to continue these efforts for the 11th year alongside the NC Wildlife Resources Commission." She emphasized that "these data are important in understanding terrapin population trends and contribute to informed management decisions."

Diamondback terrapins inhabit salt marshes and estuaries along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States. They face threats from habitat loss, coastal development, past commercial harvests, and fishing interactions. In North Carolina, they are considered a Species of Special Concern. Monitoring efforts like the Terrapin Tally offer valuable insights into their status.

Hope Sutton from NCWRC highlighted that "data from the past ten years of Terrapin Tally events has helped point us to areas where further study is needed." She added that continued efforts aim to support broader conservation goals.

The collected data have already influenced research projects and management strategies concerning diamondback terrapins at Masonboro Island Reserve and other coastal areas.

Training sessions will be held on April 12 at various locations as well as virtually via Zoom. Participation in these sessions is mandatory for all volunteers.

Data collection sessions will occur on several dates: April 25-27; May 10-11, 15-18; June 12-15. Volunteers can choose which dates they wish to participate in two-hour blocks adjusted according to tide schedules.

The project spans multiple federal, state, and local partners across regions from Carteret County to Brunswick County with designated tally sites including Cape Lookout National Seashore, Rachel Carson Reserve among others.

For more information or registration details visit https://sites.google.com/view/terrapintallync or contact terrapin.tally.nc@gmail.com.