Lynn teacher tries to slow turtle extinction

LYNN – Dave Winchester doesn?t just teach, although that?s his profession. He does much more, as evidenced by his passion for a group of turtles that is on the brink of extinction.Winchester is a teacher by day at Lynn Classical High School. But on the weekends, he?s a volunteer at the New England Aquarium – and an animal lover at heart. His recent endeavors include acting as caretaker to groups of turtles that he houses in room B211 at Classical. Introduced to him through a program that started at the aquarium, the Blanding?s turtles soon became a part of his everyday life. Winchester?s motives for protecting the Blanding?s – a species on the brink of extinction – allow for this group of turtles to continue to grow.?We are all aiming to educate the public about species they can help that are literally right in their backyards and gardens,” he said. “These turtles nest in the yards of homes in the area. Local kids have even made signs in the past to warn of Blanding?s crossing the streets looking for nesting sites. This species is important,” Winchester explained.?Five years ago, when I returned to work at the aquarium, they couldn?t house the Blanding?s turtles, so I offered up my expertise and space to do it. Since then, we?ve housed varying numbers and species of turtles.”With help from friend Dr. Bryan Windmiller, Winchester has also been studying a species of minnow called the bridle shiner. He said that it was all about discovery and finding out who needs our help. It takes a lot of effort to raise the turtles from hatchling to adult, he said. Radio tagging them before they?re released helps with learning about their habitats.This year, their 500th Blanding?s turtle was released, and that is something for which Winchester is very proud.?As we continue to breed the shiners, my only hope is that both of these species, minnow and turtle, continue to remain,” Winchester said. “We are succeeding in promoting them by educating the public and ensuring they?re protected by the towns they?re found in.?I am always looking for more to discover and protect,” he said. “I want to focus on Lynn Woods because there is very little scientific data about what reptiles and amphibians have lived there. Really, I want people to get involved too.”