A branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching a new program that will help protect three rare species of turtles in Vermont, the other New England states and New York.
The Northeast Turtle Project of the Natural Resources Conservation Service is one of 11 new projects being added to the agency's Working Lands for Wildlife effort in 30 states from Florida to Alaska to protect habitat for a number of declining species on private agricultural land.
NRCS Chief Jason Weller is expected to announce the expansion of the project Tuesday in New Florence, Missouri.
The Northeast Turtle Project will work to provide wetlands habitat for the Blandings, wood and spotted turtles.
In Vermont, the program could include wetlands restoration projects on farmland in the Champlain Valley.
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