Wetlands Institute Lands $49,800 Grant From Disney Fund

Posted November 18th 2019

The Wetlands Institute recently received a grant from the Disney Conservation Fund in the amount of $49,800 in recognition of its critical conservation work with diamondback terrapins. The DCF recognizes organizations around the world that focus on revitalizing at-risk wildlife, and this grant will support the research at The Wetlands Institute for another two years.

“Support from the Disney Conservation Fund has been foundational to the life-saving work that The Wetlands Institute does to conserve diamondback terrapins in our area,” said Lenore Tedesco, the institute’s executive director. “For the past decade, their unwavering support has enabled us to conduct road patrols, help injured terrapins, rear eggs from road-killed mothers, and help educate the public about ways to help reduce terrapin mortality.”
The Wetlands Institute focuses on several programs for conservation, including the Diamondback Terrapin Project. The comprehensive research and conservation are funded in part by the DCF in addition to the Quest for the Best Foundation, the Davenport Family Foundation, the Leff Family Foundation, and private donors through the symbolic terrapin adoption program.

“We are grateful to all of these donors whose support has enabled 30 years of crucial research and conservation into these residents of our marshes,” said Tedesco.
Since 1995 DCF, has allotted nearly $86 million to save wildlife in more than half the countries around the world. The Wetlands Institute has been fortunate to receive grant money to assist in its continued education to the public through events such as Turtle Fest and other initiatives such as the Adopt-a-Terrapin program in which the public can sponsor a level of adoption and provide funding toward conservation.

Go to wetlandsinstitute.org to learn more.

Photo: Brian Williamson and Christine Mattera of The Wetlands Institute