On a breezy, sunny summer morning at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Ella Brennan and Karson Smith inched carefully through waist-high grass in search of one of the several wood turtles the East Stroudsburg University environmental science majors are tasked with protecting in their roles as interns there.<\/p>\n
Armed with a large metal tracking device that draws a signal from transmitters placed on the turtles, Brennan and Smith navigate down dirt paths, beside streams, over bridges, and through dense vegetation at the refuge headquartered in Stroudsburg that stretches along nearly 5,500 acres between Monroe and Northampton counties.<\/p>\n
Their pursuit is part of a practice called \u201cheadstarting,\u201d a strategy that aims to support the survival of wood turtle hatchlings by raising them in captivity, ensuring their growth by making sure they are adequately fed, and protecting them from predators. Brennan and Smith look over approximately 10 young turtles that hatched last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll actually grow to the size of a two-year-old in the span of us feeding them over a year,\u201d said Smith, a junior from Bangor, Pa.<\/p>\n
Once the reptiles are ready, they\u2019ll be sent to Delaware and released back into the wild to support the wood turtle population there.<\/p>\n
While not endangered, wood turtles are in decline, making the work of Brennan, Smith and others at the refuge urgent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are very important to the ecosystems and all the other organisms and critters that are around here,\u201d said Brennan, a senior from Bucks County. \u201cIf the wood turtle goes, then the ecosystem wouldn\u2019t be able to thrive as it would otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Via trail cameras, Brennan and Smith watch closely for signs of mother wood turtles burying eggs, then move to protect that area from predators or poachers until the hatchlings are born, as the mother turtles do not return to look over their young.<\/p>\n
Pausing at one particular location, Brenna and Smith double check that eggs \u2013 recently buried several inches underground \u2013 haven\u2019t been disturbed. The small area where the eggs are buried is protected by a metal cage, while an electric fence guards a larger radius around the site.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese eggs are likely to hatch in late July or early August,\u201d said Smith, kneeling beside the burial area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout the trail camera, we wouldn\u2019t even know these eggs are here,\u201d Brennan added.<\/p>\n
From there, Brennan and Smith press on in their search. Minutes later, in a densely grassed area about 20 feet off a path, they find their target.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere she is,\u201d Smith called out.<\/p>\n
Examining the turtle, Smith noted it was missing part of its leg and tail, likely due to a predator.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe still makes it along just fine,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
On a notepad, Brennan then logged where the turtle was located, marking down its GPS coordinates and what condition it was in, before placing it back where it was found.<\/p>\n
On other days, Brennan and Smith pitch in with community education programs, including a recent event in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that taught the public about snakes. They\u2019re also planning their own event on Aug. 15 called \u201c18 Holes of Wildlife,\u201d which plays off the refuge\u2019s origin as a golf course.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so grateful,\u201d Brennan said. \u201cI tell everybody here all the time, too, that I’m so happy that this worked out the way it did, and that I get to have this chance here to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul Wilson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at ESU and a regular contributor to educational programming at Cherry Valley, said it is encouraging to see younger generations of students taking an interest in conservation.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents like Ella and Karson understand and can demonstrate the critical connection between the clean air, water and quality of life enjoyed by the surrounding community and conservation and restoration efforts on Cherry Creek,\u201d Dr. Wilson said. \u201cAt the same time, the students\u2019 connection to the community, combined with their infectious enthusiasm and positive outlook, make it easier for others to share their understanding and love of the natural world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the fulfillment they get from helping a vulnerable species beat the odds and the career experience they are receiving as students, Brennan and Smith said their internships at Cherry Valley have confirmed what they want to do after graduating from ESU.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis internship has made me realize the importance of working outdoors in my future career,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI definitely do still want to go into a conservation career and help the wildlife in any way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brennan also highlighted working outside as one of the benefits of an environmental science career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m working outside every day, it doesn\u2019t feel like I\u2019m actually working,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m doing something I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Learn more about ESU\u2019s environmental science degree<\/a>.<\/p>\n