Urgent - Diamondback Terrapin Fencing Project

Each spring, female Diamdonback Terrapins crawl out of the marsh along the shores of the Weweantic Bridge, the very long bridge that spans over the Weweantic River. One side of the bridge is Marion and the other is Wareham. These females are searching for a suitable nesting spot to lay their eggs before returning back to the marsh. Diamondback Terrapins are currently listed as a threatened species of marsh turtle in MA.

Each spring, 4 to 5 of these mom's crawl up out of the marsh and onto the bridge where they get funneled into the roadway. Many are struck by vehicles as they find themselves in the middle of a 4 lane highway with cars and trucks speeding by. Most are killed even before they have a chance to nest. Last spring, 5 female terrapins were struck and killed on this bridge and 4 of these individuals were killed within a 2 hour period of time. NECWA immediately contacted Fish & Wildlife and DOT to try to stop these unnecessary deaths.

NECWA is working with DOT and MA Fish & Wildlife to mitigate this huge issue on this bridge. The bridge is scheduled to be replaced in a few years, but action is need NOW. Yesterday, this group worked together to fence off much of the bridge in an attempt to keep these mom's from getting into harms way. NECWA was able to provide many helping hands as over 10 staff and interns assisted. Both Fish & Wildlife and NECWA pooled their chicken wire, lawn staples, wooden stakes and other materials to get the job done. However, we underestimated the lengh of this immense bridge and ran out of chicken wire and lawn staples.

NECWA needs your help. Please donate today so we can purchase the remaining chicken wire and other supplies needed to finish the job. If one section of the bridge is not fenced, then we fear that females in search of a nesting location will be able to access the bridge and become funneled onto the bridge with no way off. NECWA needs to fence an additional 200 - 300 feet of bridge to complete the job.

20-Gauge Chicken wire - 50 feet = $30.00

Box of 6 inch Lawn Staples - 200 count = $30.00

Thank you for your interest and support,

NECWA

New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance

www.necwa.org