The Wetlands Institute

Founded in 1969 by Herbert Mills, Executive Director of the World Wildlife Fund, the Wetlands Institute is a not-for-profit organization promoting appreciation of wetlands and coastal ecosystems through research, education and conservation.  Over the past 20 years, the Wetlands Institute has become the world leader in diamondback terrapin research and conservation. We are the first to initiate a terrapin "head start" program where we raise eggs removed from road killed female turtles to release into the wild. We were also the first to install terrapin fence along roadways to prevent female turtles from crossing the roads. In addition, our research and conservation efforts focus on other coastal species such as shorebirds (specifically red knots, least terns, and oystercatchers) and horseshoe crabs.