According to Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods," "disconnection from nature...has enormous implications for human health and child development...Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and therefore, for learning and creativity" (2005). How can science teachers help their students learn the joy of the natural world? By helping them discover nature, engage with it, and be present in it in a safe and nurturing way. While the idea of implementing hands-on wildlife explorations makes many teachers nervous, this needn't be so; wildlife explorations can be manageable and fun. The Virginia Living Museum looked to middle school students when it designed a multiyear program to investigate the impact of invasive turtles on native species. This program can serve as a model for teachers, as well--invasive species are a problem for many wildlife communities around the country. It was hoped that engaging middle school students with this project would help them learn about fieldwork, wildlife conservation, and herpetology. (Contains 1 figure, 5 resources, and 3 online resources.)