'Turtles of Western Highway' wants volunteers to ensure reptiles' safety while crossing Orangetown roadway

A group in Rockland County is looking for volunteers to ensure turtles' safety in Orangetown.

Snapping turtles are out along Western Highway. The reptiles leave the nearby Hackensack River around this time of year to lay eggs.

Some even try to cross the road, so the group called "Turtles of Western Highway" stand watch to keep them safe.

The group says it is important to protect the reptiles that help the environment.

"We need them. They clean our rivers, they eat the dead fish, the pieces, the algae, they keep the waterways clean. We need them," says Jane Murphy, of Congers.

Volunteers can monitor the road, pass out flyers, handle social media and more.

Those who are looking to volunteer can visit the group's Facebook page .