Climate Change Challenge
Shifting distribution of native and invasive species; loss of biodiversity habitats and native species
Project Alignment with ResilientMass Plan Priority Actions
Biodiversity conservation
Climate Resilience Project Scope
An FY25 award from the EEA Resilient MA program supported MassWildlife’s Freshwater Turtle Conservation Planning initiative. Our rationale and justification for this work is that Massachusetts’ freshwater turtles are both flagship and umbrella species for biodiversity conservation in the context of rapidly changing climate (as well as indicators of ecosystem health) because of their slow life histories (which include late maturity, limited dispersal ability, and very long lifespans). ResilientMA funding supported the hiring of two Freshwater Turtle Biologists and one seasonal diamondback terrapin biologist as DFW employees. These positions enabled MassWildlife/NHESP to expand upon and complement existing federal grants, undertake needed restoration and management of turtle nesting areas, and publish research and review on long-term ecology and conservation of at-risk turtles. Additionally, the project fully equipped the NHESP with Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) and radiotelemetry gear for Wood, Blanding’s, Spotted, Bog, and Box Turtle programs, and purchased supplies for turtle nest protection. Further, MassWildlife staff conducted turtle-, restoration-, and resilience-focused technical outreach to multiple organizations, including The Trustees, MassAudubon, Nature Conservancy, municipalities, several small nonprofits, DCR, and USFWS. Finally, this project generated several hundred observations of state-listed rare turtles protected under Massachusetts’ Endangered Species Act.
Metrics and Results
The following ResilientMass Metrics are aligned with the project:
This project is aligned with metrics:
- % of projects requiring MEPA review that consider cumulative impacts to surrounding natural environments
- % of freshwater wetlands, streams, other freshwater habitats protected or restored added/year
- Progress toward state biodiversity goals for freshwater species (Phase, state of completion)
- # of acres of coastal habitat and resources protected and restored (acres or % protected and increased/year)
- # of combined sewer overflow events in inland and coastal areas (normalized by precipitation events)
- # of acres of land acquired and/or protected for saltmarsh migration with state funding
- Natural and working lands conserved, expressed as area and percent of MA
- Natural and working land area and forest land area
The project's contribution to climate resilience is being measured through a combination of process and qualitative outcome metrics. We are evaluating and tracking progress in a quantifiable way by the successful hiring and training of two Freshwater Turtle Biologists and one Seasonal Diamondback Terrapin Biologist, deployment of hundreds of Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) and radios, the restoration of specific turtle nesting areas, and the completion of technical outreach to key organizations and key partners. Qualitative results indicate progress toward EEA/MassWildlife’s long-term resilience goals. This project has generated important and precise data on long-term spatial ecology, management needs, and restoration effectiveness, which is essential for understanding and planning for species' responses to climate impacts. By protecting flagship and umbrella species with slow life histories and strong associations with geological and physical environmental variables, the project is contributing to increased biodiversity and a more resilient ecosystem, and the hiring of dedicated staff has built capacity for ongoing conservation efforts within DFW.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
One of the primary lessons learned has been the importance of establishing a strong foundation of skilled and trained personnel. Hiring the two full-time biologists and one seasonal biologist was critical to expanding the program's capacity and complementing federal grant work for a term-limited window. A key best practice for stakeholder engagement was the direct technical outreach to key partners across Massachusetts such as sister agencies with EEA (DCR, DER), the Trustees, MassAudubon, municipalities, and federal agencies such as USGS and USFWS. Our approach has facilitated increased collaboration and ensured that the project’s data and findings were shared with partners who could apply them on the ground. For future project leaders, one important consideration is to recognize that investing in capacity—both in personnel and equipment—is essential for achieving project goals and ensuring long-term conservation impact, particularly for species with slow life histories like turtles.
Further Action
Plans for the future include leveraging this project's success in staffing and equipment to expand and complement projects funded through private, state, and federal grants, thereby scaling up conservation efforts. Further research is needed to analyze the long-term spatial ecology data collected to better understand how freshwater turtles are responding to environmental changes, land protection, and restoration activities, informing future climate adaptation strategies for these and other vulnerable species.
Additional Information and Resources
The project supported the publication of one research paper: "Long-term Spatial Ecology of Three Long-lived Turtles" and one review paper "Biology and Conservation of Emydine Turtles," as well as a special issue on the biology and conservation of emydine turtles (Massachusetts is the global hotspot for this group of habitat specialists). These papers are part of the special issue of the Northeastern Naturalist. Additionally, presentations were given on project findings, including one in Wareham on diamondback terrapin ecology and another at the Turtle Survival Alliance/TFTSG conference in Chattanooga, which focused on Wood Turtles as an indicator species for riparian biodiversity.