Wetlands in the Hudson Valley are up against human activities that continue to put many species in danger. Clairice Drexler ‘20 made it a component of her Honors Thesis to conduct research and conservation work for species that are threatened and endangered.

As an Environmental Science major and Biology minor, Drexler became involved in conservation work with blanding turtles. These turtles are endangered and struggling to survive in the Hudson River. In addition to her conservation work, Drexler wanted to find the relationship between harmful human activities that affect the environment, which negatively impacts blanding turtles. Specifically, Drexler was looking at the influences of organic matter and groundwater inflow on the endangered turtle’s habitat in wetland ponds.

There are many different ecosystems that are found in the Hudson Valley that are influenced daily by humans; one of them being wetlands. These habitats are vital for maintaining biodiversity, providing environmental benefits to its surroundings, and supporting organisms such as blanding turtles.

Drexler became a research intern at Arlington High School, where she contributed to an ongoing conservation project. For the last ten years, the project has been working to research and protect the blanding turtles. Drexler’s responsibilities included tracking blanding turtles and noting their nesting habits.

Drexler would arrive at the turtles’ nesting spots at 7 p.m. and stay overnight until about 2 a.m. During these hours, she and other participants took recently laid eggs and put them in a metal cage to protect them from predators such as foxes, coyotes and skunks. Shockingly, 98 percent of the eggs laid, do not hatch. This turtle species lays about 14 to 16 eggs, which is relatively low compared to snapper turtles that lay about 50 eggs.

After collecting the eggs, Drexler and her fellow interns documented characteristics of the recent hatchings, such as their weight and length. The volunteers then brought the hatchlings to a veternarian, where they are treated and grow up to a year. Among the hatchlings, some of them receive names. Lizzo, is a beautiful blanding turtle like Gina and Edge. The young turtles are then released back into their natural environment. Drexler says that last year, 11 turtles were saved and she feels that the “population is increasing.”

The environment that is located at Arlington High School is made of three artificial ecosystems and three natural ones. During the conservation project, it was noticed that there was a high abundance of turtles inhabiting the artificial environment. Therefore, the group looked at factors that compelled these aquatic creatures to that particular area.

As a component to Drexler’s Honors Thesis, she went into wetlands and used seepage meters to measure the flow rate of water. She dug out mud to get to the base layer thatwas free if organic sediment. Drexler was analyzing the relationship between groundwater-flow and the thickness of the layer of organic matter.

The process could be strenuous and at times, Drexler felt she was shoveling more than collecting data. However, she said it was worth it. The field work included 3 to 4 hours of shoveling, setting up equipment, and collecting data. Essentially it was a full day of work. Every three days Drexler went returned to the field and repeated the process for data collection. The experiment was designed to find important factors that should be consider when building new wetland habitats.

The independent experiment concluded in early Oct. 2019. Nonetheless, the inspiration and knowledge that Drexler gained at Arlington High School for her thesis, has motivated her in continuing animal conservation and rehabilitation work. It was a positive experience that gave awareness to Drexler and the rest of the community about endangered animals and the help they need from us.

The Arlington High School Conservation Project and their volunteers have been able to care for blanding turtles. As a result, the turtles have brought inspiration and hope to the area that the species will continue to survive and motivate students to go into conservation and rehabilitation work.

Ever hear of a turtle named Lizzo? Well, Lizzo is a beautiful Blanding turtle like Gina and Edge. These turtles are a sample of the many endangered Blanding turtles that have been cared for and watched over by the volunteers in the Arlington High School Conservation Project in Dutchess county.

Student’s Honors Thesis Helps Endangered Turtles

MARIST CIRCLE