Turtles have existed on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs, but unlike them, they have survived. Join us for our second annual celebration of all things turtle and tortoise. We are partnering with MATTS this year to bring even more animals than last year! Meet and interact with over a dozen species, learn about the latest conservation efforts, and see specimens from the NHSM collections including the first bog turtle found in Maryland in 1940. In addition you can feed a tortoise and even have a turtle create an original painting just for you (extra fee). Be sure to buy a raffle ticket for your chance to win one of three copies of “Turtles of the World” donated by Princeton University Press.
World Turtle Day was created in 1990 as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect these beloved creatures and their vanishing habitats around the world. There are 17 types of turtles that call Maryland home. Of those, 12 species are threatened by habitat loss and 9 are experiencing population decline. All four sea turtle species found in Maryland are protected by the ESA.
Please arrive during your selected time slot and head to the check in tent. Timed entry is in place to help maintain social distancing guidelines. There is no limit to how long you can stay, so enjoy your visit! Spaces for each time slot are limited.
- 10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:00PM
- 1:00PM
- 2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
COVID-19 safety guidelines:
I. Limited attendance
II. Timed entry
III. Masks Optional
IV. No food or drink in the building
In partnership with:
– Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society
– Maryland Department of Natural Resources
– Princeton University Press
Location
