First Bog Turtle of the Season

Amy Nazdrowicz found her first bog turtle ever at a "secret" site in the Brandywine Valley. A DNREC representative accompanied Amy and Mick McLaughlin from Landmark Science & Engineering to this site that had a record of a bog turtle colony.

Although the official Bog Turtle search season begins on April 15th (and ends on June 15th), Amy was still able to find a turtle. The warm weather has probably made these secretive turtles active earlier this year than in "normal" years.

The turtle was a large male (136 grams) that was well hidden under dead vegetation. Mick made the official measurements and the turtle was released back where it was found.

If you find that you need a bog turtle survey this season, please contact Amy at 302-323-9377 X136

New Employee

The Sciences Branch welcomes a new employee today, John Phelps.

John has extensive Pennsylvania wetland and waterway permitting experience as well as:

Soils (Septic evaluator, designer and inspector in PA, perc testing)
GIS (Highly skilled in GIS and GPS)
Storm Water and Road Construction Inspection
Wetland Delineation

He previously worked in Mercer County NJ, Dept of Transportation doing water management and mosquito control. As well as a civil engineering firm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

John will be the newest PM in the Sciences Branch and will be taking the lead on existing and new Pennsylvania projects as well as other wetland delineation and permitting projects.

John can be reached at jphelps@jcmenv.com or 302-737-9335 X107