Because we are working in the Barnegat Bay Estuary, we will provide hatchlings to schools in the local area first and to our first head start schools that were a part of this program.  The hatchlings are from clutches that hatch later in the season, thus giving them a chance to increase survivorship.  All hatchlings that are released are marked with a year notch code to denote regular hatchling release during the summer versus those head started and released in the spring (June of the following year).  If interested please see the documents for care and the agreement that is required for schools to participate. Project Terrapin is a research, conservation and education initiative of the MATES School and a volunteer project. A MATES Project Terrapin student member will serve as a liaison (hatchling ambassador) to our head start schools. This year, most terrapin hatchlings were late emerging from nests at Long Beach Island and will be released in late Mat (expected May 30) at the Long Beach Township Marine Field Station in Holgate, NJ