Sea Turtle Patrol: Truro

Cape Cod Bay beaches become the scene of one of New England's most dramatic conservation stories each fall, when cold water temperatures strand hundreds of juvenile sea turtles along miles of shoreline.

Head out at high tide to scan the wrack line in search of cold-stunned sea turtles. Discover how and why these strandings occur, what to do if you encounter a turtle on the beach, and how staff and volunteers work together to save these animals each year. Along the way, learn about sea turtle biology, behavior, and conservation, as well as other wildlife found on Cape Cod beaches in winter.

The patrol is the perfect way to kick off your day before heading to the sanctuary for the Sea Turtle Open House, where you can dig even deeper into this annual rescue effort.

Please note that this is an educational program, not a training to become a Mass Audubon volunteer. Sea turtle rescues are never guaranteed. Even if no turtles are found, you'll learn what to look for during a beach patrol through demonstrations using life-sized models.