Volunteers for Wildlife come out of their shell at Sea Cliff Farmers Market

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Jasper the Diamondback Terrapin stood proudly in his tank with his head held high. The reptile was greeted by visitors of all ages, who admired the stunning pattern on his shell. Jasper, who appeared to enjoy being doted upon by two loving volunteers walked freely inside his enclosure during an educational presentation at the Sea Cliff Farmers Market.

Jasper’s life was not always like this, however. Once kept illegally as a pet, Jasper was found abandoned in a pool with shell deformities, unable to survive alone. Luckily, Volunteers for Wildlife, a non-profit wildlife hospital and education center located in Locust Valley’s Bailey Arboretum, took him in, nursed him back to health, and gave him a second chance at life.

“These kinds of stories are particularly upsetting,” said 11-year volunteer Alice Hackett. “Putting Jasper’s life in harm was completely preventable. His story is only one example of how important it is to respect animals and their natural habitats.”

Founded in 1982, Volunteers for Wildlife is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Long Island's injured and orphaned wildlife. In addition to admitting nearly 2,000 animals into its hospital each year, the organization offers engaging programs for children and adults, which is a fundamental aspect of its mission to preserve Earth’s ecosystems.

“Upon hearing the stories of some of our animals, we hope that people will walk away with a better appreciation of our local fauna and how to protect them,” said Volunteers for Wildlife’s Education Director Marie Cancro. She is always excited to share the organization’s efforts with the public, so Amy Peters, founder of the Sea Cliff Farmers Market, contacted her in 2015, she jumped at the chance to set up an educational table at the event.

“As the farmers market’s produce vendor in 2014, if I had vegetables left over at the end of the day, I would donate them to Volunteers for Wildlife,” said Peters. “The work the organization does is so important, and I invited them to share it at the farmers market. Attendees get to meet animals they maybe never have before, and I think everyone needs to recognize how wildlife is affected by development and human activity.”

Drawing people in with three beautiful turtles, a plethora of pictures, and even owl and hawk feathers, Volunteers for Wildlife’s display was the star of the show at the Sea Cliff Farmers Market on Saturday, August 4.

Children ran up to the turtle’s tanks, overwhelmed with excitement at the chance to meet them. Some children wondered about having a turtle as a pet, which allowed volunteer Alison Schroeder, of Glen Head, to make a very important point. “Animals are a very big responsibility,” Schroeder said. “You need to ask a lot of questions before adopting an animal, and be sure to never take an animal out of the wild.”

As children listened intently to facts about the turtles’ diet and behaviors, their eyes widened, as when they were told that Rosie, an Eastern Box Turtle, was 50-years-old.

“Wow! Look, Grandpa!” whispered Sea Cliff resident Sylvie McAdams, 6, who was in awe as she peered into Rosie’s tank. Leaning in, her grandfather, Robert Lafferty, smiled at the animal. In that moment, two generations began learning alongside one another, and Volunteers for wildlife hope will also join together to advocate for animals and their habitats across Long Island.