[SEMCO] Turtles of Outer Cape subject of 3+ day course

[Melissa Lowe]

TURTLES OF THE OUTER CAPE
Adult Field School on Cape Cod 
Offered by Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
June 28-July 1, 2005

About the Course: Charismatic in their own right, turtles provide revealing
insights into the health of inland and coastal ecosystems. In this
action-packed course, we'll survey the Outer Cape's turtle populations
through field research of two state-listed species, the Northern Diamondback
Terrapin (threatened) and the Eastern Box Turtle (special concern), as well
as observe local painted and snapping turtle populations. 

This course is designed to offer unique opportunities to learn more the
turtles of Cape Cod and provide a "hands-on" introduction to wildlife
research methods. For 25 years we have been studying the populations of box
turtles and terrapins in Wellfleet Bay. Through nesting surveys, mark and
recapture studies, radio telemetry, and habitat and prey analysis, we have
built a solid foundation of data to begin understanding the life histories
of these animals and the human impacts affecting them.

This course is one of our most exciting classes and is, perhaps, one of our
most physically challenging. Activities begin in the early morning and the
day is spent on beaches, in creeks, and in the woods searching for turtles
and processing data. Lectures are scheduled for all three evenings. While
activities are optional, the course is most rewarding by participating in
all aspects of the research and study. In this active course, participants
should be prepared for spending long hours in the sun (or rain), walking up
to 2 miles, and a canoe trip. 

About the Instructors:  Bob Prescott is the director of the Wellfleet Bay
Widlife Sanctuary where he has been actively involved in coastal issues and
research.  Bob has a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of
Massachusetts and has studied such diverse topics as whale strandings,
harbor seal distribution around Cape Cod, and, most recently, home range of
box turtles.  Bob also is the Southeastern Massachusetts coordinator for the
Northeast Sea Turtle Stranding Network.

A retired executive, Don Lewis is now an advocational herpetologist and
turtle researcher with Mass Audubon who focuses on the study of diamondback
terrapins and other turtle species on the Outer Cape. Don has been working
with Taber Academy to develop curriculum and research projects focusing on
terrapins. His stories about his work and wildlife photographs have been
published nationally and internationally.

Additional Details: Cost for the course is $225 for members of Mass Audubon
and $255 for non-members, which includes instruction, boat and field trips,
and one group dinner. Participants may need to provide their own
transportation to and from study sites. Housing is available for an
additional fee of $130. 

For more information about this course, the sanctuary, and other Field
Schools please check out our website at
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay/fieldschools  or call 508-349-2615.

***************************************
Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615 or mlowe at massaudubon.org
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay 
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