Tarpon Springs Elementary- Ms. Wendy Bernstein

15 Feb 2008- Ms. Bernstein’s fifth grade class at Tarpon Springs Elementary is working to help save diamondback terrapins in Tarpon Springs. The class has begun investigations into the issues and stakeholders involved with deaths of the terrapin turtles being caught and drowned in commercial crab traps in Florida. Students feel very strongly about helping the turtles and are trying to come up with ways to reduce them being caught in traps that are active or in “ghost” traps. Class ideas have included educating the public about terrapins, trying to convince the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to have a closed season to crab traps, or ways to remove “ghost” traps that are not being maintained.