WVLT Turtle Day 2026!

EXACT location of the event will be provided after registration, prior to event.

Continuing a multi-year tradition, join naturalist Claire Leonardi on Robert Fabricant and Jill Herzig's 57-acre WVLT conservation easement property in Gardiner, in locating, identifying, and documenting eastern box turtles.

What is the WVLT Box Turtle Walk?

This special, small-group experience takes place on a privately protected property in Gardiner, NY where Eastern Box Turtles have been carefully observed and documented for years. After a brief introduction on how to spot and respectfully observe turtles in their natural habitat, participants head out into the field—and we’ve never had a “no turtle” day in all the years of this event.

Individual Eastern Box Turtles are distinguishable from each other by the distinctive fingerprint-like yellow and black rosette patterns on their domed shells. From 2005 through 2019, Anne Smith, aided by biologist Joe Bridges and her dogs, monitored the turtle’s migrations, hibernation habits, and reproductive success, documented in Anne's book, The Silence of the Bell: Monitoring Eastern Box Turtles with Australian Cattle Dogs.

This event began with longtime stewards Anne and Ray Smith, whose passion for these remarkable turtles helped inspire ongoing research and protection of the land. Today, the tradition continues thanks to the current landowners, who remain committed to conservation and turtle monitoring.

Robert and Jill purchased the home and adopted the turtle tracting-there have been over 130 individual box turtles documented over the past 20 years!

EXACT location of the event will be provided upon registration.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to experience this unique walk with us. Please don’t wait too long—space is limited!

Please note: For the safety of the turtles, participants may not handle or disturb wildlife, and please do not engage with wild animals while outside- if you find an injured or distressed animal, please call your local DEC or wildlife rehabber.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Wallkill Valley Land Trust