Turtle Champion

The diamondback terrapin is known for the diamond pattern on its shell. It’s the only turtle species in North America that lives in brackish water. That’s where saltwater and freshwater mix. From May through July, female terrapins come ashore to lay eggs.

Gia Providente, 9, had seen these turtles in the waters near her home, in Massapequa, New York. That’s part of the Town of Oyster Bay, on Long Island. While visiting a beach, Gia saw signs about terrapins. “I was like, ‘Oh! Why don’t we have these where we live?’” she told TIME for Kids.

Gia wanted to help terrapins. So she designed turtle awareness signs. They’re now at two parks on Long Island. In 2025, Gia was awarded a Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. It honors young people who are making a difference.

PROUD MOMENT Gia Providente shows off her Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a community-service award, in 2025.

Taking Action

Diamondback terrapins live along the East Coast of the United States. Their numbers are decreasing. That’s according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN lists this turtle as vulnerable. That’s one step below endangered.

TROUBLED TURTLE Diamondback terrapins are a vulnerable species, threatened by cars and boats.

Gia interviewed experts to find out how to protect terrapins. “She had a thousand and one questions,” John Turner says. He’s a senior conservation policy advocate. He works with the Seatuck Environmental Association. It’s a group dedicated to Long Island wildlife.

Cars and boats are two big threats to terrapins, Turner explained. That gave Gia an idea for what to put on her signs. “What’s something that would really catch your eye and that would be short and catchy?” she remembers thinking. She decided on the slogan “Go slow, terrapins below.”

Gia shared her research at her school district’s science fair. She also wrote a letter to town officials. They agreed to make the signs. “Gia’s effort here is really very, very valuable,” Turner says.

Seeing Results

In August, workers installed signs at Bayfront Park and John J. Burns Park, near Gia’s home. She joined Oyster Bay town supervisor Joseph Saladino at the unveiling. “It was just a really cool experience,” she says. Saladino honored Gia for her “creativity, dedication, and hard work.” (Gia’s friend Victor, who joined her on the science fair project, was honored too.)

LOOK OUT! Gia and Oyster Bay town supervisor Joseph Saladino unveil a terrapin-awareness sign on August 1, 2025.

Layla Providente is Gia’s mom. “Sometimes, it’s hard when you’re younger to use your voice,” she says. But Gia “doesn’t let anything stop her.”

Gia encourages kids who want to help animals where they live: “Be brave. And never give up.”

Inspired?

Let Gia’s story inspire you to protect animals in your community. Click below for ideas about how you can promote animal welfare and make the world a brighter place.