The project first began as a group of citizens in the mid-1990's. They were volunteer citizens who wanted to do something about the amount of terrapin fatalities on the Margate Causeway. The start of the official project originated in 2007 by concerned Margate residents Lisa and Don Doherty. It was then further strengthened by Northfield resident, Bill Doughty Jr. who moved to the area in late 2007. He was alarmed by the number of roadkill he observed while traveling on the Margate Causeway. Doughty and Doherty have worked closely with Wetlands Institute scientists and staff, the Margate Bridge Company, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, the city of Margate, local businesses, local Boy Scout troop 634, and students from Atlantic City High School, The Atlantic County Institute of Technology, and Vineland High School. The support of these groups helped to purchase and install terrapin barrier fencing along the Margate Causeway.
Since 2007, this collaborative grassroots effort has reduced terrapin roadkill by installing terrapin tubing and fencing, conducting road patrols to assist terrapins across the road and by educating the community about the importance of being alert for terrapins while traveling on the Margate Causeway. We are continuing to grow and expand the protection for Diamondback Terrapins so that many more generations can experience them.