Orenda Wildlife Land Trust

10/04/2026

🐢 35 nests protected—and an estimated 300+ hatchlings successfully emerged! 🌿

This diamondback terrapin hatchling was photographed just two days ago making its way out of its nest and into the marsh. It’s a tiny moment that represents a whole lot of dedicated work by our Terrapin Guardians this season.

Thanks to our incredible volunteers, 35 terrapin nests have been protected, with an estimated 300+ hatchlings successfully emerging so far—and there’s still more work to do!

Interested in becoming a Terrapin Guardian next season? We’re always looking for volunteers to help monitor nests, protect hatchlings, and support this important conservation work.

Learn more and join our volunteer Terrapin Guardian team at https://orendalandtrust.org/nurture-the-trust/diamond-terrapin-protection-program/

09/18/2026

🐢🌿 30 NESTS PROTECTED & COUNTING!

Our 2026 Diamondback Terrapin Protection Program has reached an exciting milestone: 30 nests protected — and we’re still counting!

Even more exciting, we estimate that 250+ hatchlings have safely emerged from the nests we’ve been monitoring. This estimate is based on egg shards, direct observations of live hatchlings, and other signs of successful emergence.

Every protected nest represents another opportunity for the next generation of terrapins to safely make their way into the marsh. And with hatchling season underway, our Terrapin Guardians continue to monitor known nests and search for emerging hatchlings.

🌧️ Fun fact: Rainfall can trigger terrapin hatchlings to emerge from their nests, making the days following a good soaking an especially exciting time to monitor at our Turtle Garden!

A huge thank you to our Terrapin Guardians for the time, care, and dedication they’ve been putting into protecting these remarkable coastal turtles!

Learn more and join our volunteer Terrapin Guardian team at https://orendalandtrust.org/nurture-the-trust/diamond-terrapin-protection-program/

09/11/2026

We can’t wait to see you there! 🐢🦉🦋🦊🐟🐝🐇🦇🪼🦨🦞🐾

Heading to the Cape Cod Wildlife Festival tomorrow? We’ll see you there!

Come find us at Mass Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable from 10 am to 3 pm for a fun, family-friendly day of celebrating Cape Cod’s wildlife and the people working to protect it.

And be sure to catch our good friend Bethany of Amazing Animal Ambassadors who’ll be bringing some special guests for live animal shows at 11am and 1pm!

We’re very proud to partner with Mass Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary Mass Audubon Association to Preserve Cape Cod Town of Barnstable Center for Coastal Studies ifaw New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance Orenda Wildlife Land Trust Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on this special event.

09/10/2026

JUST TWO DAYS AWAY! 🌿🦌🦅🐢

Join Orenda at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, September 12, for a free, fun, family-friendly day celebrating the incredible wildlife that calls Cape Cod home.

Come explore hands-on exhibits, enjoy wildlife-themed activities, meet local conservation experts, and discover the work happening right here to protect Cape Cod’s wild places and the animals that depend on them.

Mark your calendar and bring the whole family - we can’t wait to see you there!

Learn more and register: https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/long-pasture/news/cape-cod-wildlife-festival

📅 September 12 | Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

Bring the whole family to this free, fun-filled event and connect directly with local wildlife organizations working to protect animals and their habitats across Cape Cod and beyond. 

09/08/2026

We can’t wait to see you Saturday!

09/01/2026

🐢 A new generation of terrapins is emerging! 🌿

Our Terrapin Guardians have recently encountered and observed diamondback terrapin hatchlings emerging from protected nests and successfully making their way into the surrounding leaf litter, where they can remain protected as they begin their lives in the wild.

Hatchling season is an especially important time for terrapin conservation. After spending weeks, sometimes months, developing beneath the surface, hatchlings emerge tiny and vulnerable, and their survival depends on finding safe habitat and avoiding threats as they make their way toward the marsh.

That’s why our volunteers’ careful monitoring of known nests is so important. By protecting nesting areas and documenting hatchling emergence throughout the season, they’re helping us better understand local terrapin populations while giving these young turtles a safer start. Every hatchling we see is a hopeful sign for the future of diamondback terrapins on Cape Cod.

Thank you to our dedicated Terrapin Guardians for their continued service throughout hatchling season!

Learn more and get involved: https://orendalandtrust.org/nurture-the-trust/diamond-terrapin-protection-program/

08/27/2026

It’s almost time to GO WILD! 🌿🦌🦅🐢

Join Orenda at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, September 12, for a free, fun, family-friendly day celebrating the incredible wildlife that calls Cape Cod home.

Come explore hands-on exhibits, enjoy wildlife-themed activities, meet local conservation experts, and discover the work happening right here to protect Cape Cod’s wild places and the animals that depend on them.

Mark your calendar and bring the whole family - we can’t wait to see you there!

Learn more and register: https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/long-pasture/news/cape-cod-wildlife-festival

📅 September 12 | Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

Bring the whole family to this free, fun-filled event and connect directly with local wildlife organizations working to protect animals and their habitats across Cape Cod and beyond. 

07/16/2026

Meet Our Summer Interns! 🌿🐢

This summer, we're excited to welcome Thea and Ryan to the Orenda Wildlife Land Trust team!

Thea, who grew up on the coast of Maine, recently graduated from Stonehill College with a degree in Environmental Studies. She has a strong passion for wildlife conservation and is thrilled to spend the summer with Orenda making a meaningful difference for local wildlife and habitats.

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont, where he earned a degree in Sustainability, Ecology, and Policy with minors in Biology and Zoology. A Massachusetts native who spent many summers on Cape Cod, Ryan is passionate about wildlife conservation and is excited to help protect the landscapes and species that make this region so special while gaining hands-on field experience.

Throughout the season, Thea and Ryan will be supporting our Diamondback Terrapin Protection Program - monitoring nesting activity, protecting vulnerable nests, and assisting with hatchling season - as well as contributing to a variety of land conservation and stewardship projects on Orenda's wildlife sanctuaries.

Please join us in giving Thea and Ryan a warm welcome! We’re grateful to have their enthusiasm, knowledge, and dedication helping advance our mission to protect Cape Cod's wildlife and wild places.

07/06/2026

Join us this Saturday at Brewster Conservation Day!

Stop by our booth to discover how we're protecting Cape Cod's land and wildlife and learn how you can make a difference right at home by becoming a "Home Habitat Hero!"

Whether you're passionate about conservation or just curious to learn more, we'd love to meet you. We hope to see you there!

06/16/2026

🐢🌎 World Sea Turtle Day 🌎🐢

Today, we celebrate the incredible sea turtles that have navigated our oceans for more than 100 million years - and renew our commitment to protecting them for generations to come.

While sea turtles spend most of their lives at sea, their survival depends on healthy coastal habitats, clean waterways, and communities that care. Every nest protected, every piece of litter removed, and every person inspired to take action makes a difference.

At Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, we are proud to protect wildlife habitats and engage volunteers in conservation efforts that help safeguard vulnerable turtle species, including our beloved diamondback terrapins.

This nesting season, you can be part of the solution. Whether you volunteer, support habitat conservation, or simply share the importance of protecting turtles and their habitats, your actions matter.

Together, we can help ensure that turtles continue their ancient journey for generations to come. Visit https://orendalandtrust.org/ or email us at [email protected] to learn more and sign up!