Maryland Coastal Bays Program set to end turtle nesting project

BERLIN, Md. – The Maryland Coastal Bays Program will destroy the turtle nesting sanctuary at Northside Park. The project consists of 22 tons of sand and marsh vegetation, which was shaped to replicate the natural nesting habitat.

The project aims to encourage terrapin nesting, instead of development in poor habitats.

Outreach and Marketing Coordinator, Sandi Smith, believes the project has been a success. However, she thinks this is the right time for the program to move away from the sanctuary.

“We figured since there weren’t any terrapins nesting there, and the park does a great job managing that area, we decided it was time to end the project.”

Smith emphasizes that community members should not try to take a terrapin home as a pet.