Protecting Martha’s Vineyard’s Turtles

There are five species of land and pond turtles on Martha's Vineyard. Longtime island naturalist Richard Johnson will introduce the four native and one invasive species, focusing on their history, ecology, and identification. Johnson will also discuss the threats facing each species, and what can be done to protect them--including how individuals and families can help. This event will be held at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above the Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

Richard Johnson has been an island naturalist for over 30 years. He served as the head of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Borne Illness Reduction Initiative from 2011-2022 and Executive Director of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation from 1990-2008. Concerned about the status of the Vineyard’s native pond and land turtles, particularly painted turtles, he is launching a project to assess the population status of painted turtles and the other 3 species of native turtles. He also hopes to determine the extent to which red-eared sliders, an invasive turtle recently discovered on the Island, are reproducing here.

You may also like the following events from Vineyard Haven Public Library:

• This Wednesday, 16th July, 11:00 pm, Virtual: Why Is The Earth Getting Both Wetter & Drier? The Science of Climate Change in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
• This Thursday, 17th July, 02:30 pm, Virtual Art History Series: Ravenna, Italy & The Brilliance of Mosaics in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
• Next Tuesday, 22nd July, 06:00 pm, History on Plaster: The Stan Murphy Murals with Bow Van Riper in Vineyard Haven

Also check out other Arts events in Vineyard Haven.