WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program is responsible for the conservation and preservation of hundreds of species in the state, and this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Headstart Program for the northern red-bellied cooter.

These turtles are listed on both the federal and state endangered species lists.

When they were first listed in 1980, there were about 200-300 left in the state. Now, thanks to 40 years of the headstart program, there's believed to be more than 2,000 in the Commonwealth.

State Herpetologist Michael Jones was part of the program when he was in high school and said MassWildlife relies on community partners to help raise the young turtles, which gives them an advantage of surviving into adulthood and living in the wild.

"We have about 20 schools and museums participate every year. Every year in September, they're given an average of four hatchling turtles," Jones said. "The hatchlings are about the size of a half-dollar at that time. They raise them from September to May. We're getting them back today. So, in May, they come back. They're released into suitable habitat in the wild in Plymouth County, MA. And then we know that these animals go on and live many decades, some of them are achieving ages, probably in their 60's and 70's."

This year, in addition to the 40th anniversary of the program, MassWildlife has officially "headstarted" it's 5,000th northern red-bellied cooter.

Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O'Shea said this program is one of the signature programs for recovering species in the state, and possibly the country.

"I think of a successful program that's actually helping to recover an endangered species. I think of partnerships," O'Shea said. "I think of our future stewards, all the students who are involved at getting these turtles a head start, which means they're going to have a good chance of survival in a very special habitat down in Southeastern Massachusetts. And so it's just a great example of the hope for the future for recovering endangered species on Endangered Species Day."

Last September, Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order for setting Biodiversity Conservation Goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050 to be the strongest state in the nation for conserving biodiversity.

As far as turtles, in addition to the red bellies, there are other endangered species in the state. MassWildlife has information on what you can do to help as a citizen on their website.

The 2024 headstart partners include: Bristol County Agricultural High School, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Carver Middle-High School, Dighton Middle School, Eagle Hill School, EcoTarium, Essex Tech, Hingham Middle School, Mass Audubon Long Pasture, Minuteman Regional High School, Museum of Science, Narragansett Regional High School, New England Wildlife Center, Norwood High School, SE MA Pine Barrens, Southeastern Regional, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, Westborough – Gibbons Middle School, and Wheaton College.