ROANOKE (WSLS 10) -A local school welcomes back an annual visitor.
A snapping turtle has come to the playground of Community School in Roanoke to lay her eggs every spring for the past 16-years. And each year, the school tapes off her nest to protect the eggs until the turtles hatch in September. In fact, the school is recognized by the government for their commitment to creating a safe habitat for wildlife.
Teachers say the hatching normally happens during the second week of school, and that the children love watching them crawl to the creek.
Science teacher Emilie Temeles even keeps one of the newly hatched turtles throughout the school year until it can be released the following year.
She says it's a good opportunity for her students to learn about the species.
"With as much development as is going on in the area, we need to protect our environment. And if we don't, who will? Even our four and five year olds are seeing that They understand that this is a tradition, really amazing thing to see," Temeles said.
The turtle's visit has become a beloved tradition and a teachable moment for students about protecting the environment.