What to Know
- The governor of New Jersey has signed legislation designating the bog turtle as the Garden State's state reptile Monday
- Officials said Riverside Elementary School science teacher Mark Eastburn two years ago told his students that NJ didn't have a state reptile
- Teacher, students decided to advocate for the bog turtle, which was federally listed as a threatened species in 1997
The governor of New Jersey has signed legislation designating the bog turtle as the Garden State's state reptile.
Officials said Riverside Elementary School science teacher Mark Eastburn two years ago told his students that New Jersey didn't have a state reptile.
So, they decided to advocate for the bog turtle, which was federally listed as a threatened species in 1997, in hopes that the designation would help restore the habitat and allow the species to thrive.
Murphy said Monday he wanted to commend students, teachers and scientists for working to protect the turtle and the environment.
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