Turtle Research at Eagle Marsh

​During the summers of 2022 and 2023 Purdue University Fort Wayne directed a citizen science project focused on turtles at Eagle Marsh. Citizen Science is a resource multiplier.  Scientists (in this case Dr. Mark Jordan) design the research project, develop protocols or standardized methodologies for collecting data and reporting data, and developing volunteer training strategies.
 
The student coordinator, a biology student from Purdue University Fort Wayne, was Autumn Straessle. She trained and directed volunteers from Little River Wetlands Project as well as other students from Purdue University Fort Wayne.
 
Training included safety procedures, transportation, and data collection. Data collection included specific location identification of the turtles, air, and water temperatures, weighing and measuring the turtles, species identification, sex identification, checking for parasites, and creating identification notches on the shell for future reference. The data was collected on standardized forms and the date was sent to Dr. Jordan.
 
The research occurred in two locations at Eagle Marsh. The field work occurred for two weeks during the summer of each year.
 
Turtle species that were identified included painted turtles, soft shelled turtles, snapping turtles, and the threatened Blanding’s turtle.
 
After each day of field work the researchers and volunteers’ waders were washed down with a solution that protected the wetlands from the spread of any disease that would be a threat to other reptiles or amphibians. Equipment was also sanitized.
 
The data tracks the status of the turtle populations as they struggle to survive automobile traffic and natural predators.
 
Despite the focus on standardized protocols and data collection the project was a lot of fun. There was clearly a sense of camaraderie among the volunteers. The setting was inspiring. The setting included herons, geese, songbirds, and beautiful foliage. It was a world of green, or so many shades of green. I look forward to participating in Purdue University Fort Wayne turtle research at Eagle Marsh this summer. If you are interested contact the office of Little River Wetlands Project or follow their website. 

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