Protecting Martha’s Vineyard’s Turtles with Richard Johnson

The Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to welcome longtime island naturalist Richard Johnson for a presentation on the history, ecology and conservation status of Martha’s Vineyard’s Turtles. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above the Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

There are five species of land and pond turtles on Martha's Vineyard. Richard Johnson will introduce the four native and one invasive species, focusing on their history, ecology, and  identification. Johnson will also discuss the threats facing each species, and what can be done to protect them--including how individuals and families can help. 

Richard Johnson has been an island naturalist for over 30 years. He served as the head of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Borne Illness Reduction Initiative from 2011-2022 and Executive Director of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation from 1990-2008. 

Concerned about the status of the Vineyard’s native pond and land turtles, particularly painted turtles, Johnson is launching a project to assess the population status of painted turtles and the other 3 species of native turtles. He also hopes to determine the extent to which red-eared sliders, an invasive turtle recently discovered on Martha’s Vineyard, are reproducing on the island.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.