The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center's Terrapin Research will focus on the monitoring and restoration of Diamondback Terrapins and their needed habitat. The Diamondback Terrapin has faced seriously declining numbers throughout the years due to predation of eggs, habitat destruction and injuries from boat propellers. The Diamondback terrapin is a very valuable creature and important to measuring and maintaining the biodiversity of an ecosystem.

Nest predation is one of the main focuses of the research because foxes, raccoons, and skunks are just a few examples of predators that eat terrapin eggs and hatchlings. Out of three hundred nests on Cabin Creek, most if not all were destroyed due to predation. Nests have been guarded using predator-guarding devices such as a nest box, pole, or screen. Our study will look into the best nest-guarding practices and monitor the terrapin population on our soften shoreline. Hopefully, this data will be able to conclusively show which device has the best results and prove the benefits and value of soften shoreline versus the restored shoreline techniques of rocks, walls, or rift-raft.

The focus of the study will therefore record and monitor the terrapin populations for health, size, and gender; nest sites and their success in hatchlings; and use a control study to show which nest-guarding techniques are best for a soften shoreline site.