Projects
The Florida Turtle Conservation Trust (FTCT) focuses its efforts on the
conservation of non-marine species. This work is accomplished
independently or in partnership with agencies and other non-governmental
organizations. To date, the FTCT has: • organized and co-sponsored a symposium on the status and conservation of Florida turtles; • co-sponsored a national workshop on the
ecology, status and conservation of diamondback • initiated the development of both a national and Florida Diamondback Terrapin Working Group; • partnered with the Gopher Tortoise Council on a project that distributed an educational book to nearly 3,000 elementary school libraries throughout the range of the gopher tortoise; • partnered with the Gopher Tortoise Council on a project that distributed an educational slide and PowerPoint presentation and supplemental resource notebook to educators throughout the range of the gopher tortoise; • co-developed and funded the Pinellas County School District's Florida turtle track pack; • organized Florida turtle educational exhibits at nature festivals and environmental events; • and assisted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with the development of a diamondback terrapin educational poster and exhibit.
Tampa Bay’s Diamondback Terrapins: A Community-based Conservation Education Program The FTCT will introduce the ecological importance of an imperiled estuarine turtle, the diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin. Threats to this reptile include crab pot mortality, habitat loss, and predation. Global warming will affect terrapin sex ratios, and sea level rise will alter nesting. Terrapins have been identified as “one of the species with greatest conservation need” by Florida’s Legacy Initiative. A recent survey of 70 biologists rangewide deemed terrapin conservation education programs essential. This project made possible by a $7500 grant awarded by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Bay Mini-Grants. We will create an educator’s guide (elementary- secondary) that uses
terrapins as a model, integrating lessons in
biology, mathematics, geography, etc. It will
include resources such as activities, Three events will connect field biologists with educators, environmental professionals, and crabbers. An educators’ workshop offered for continuing education credit will introduce the educator’s guide and accompanying resources, as well as provide an opportunity to visit a terrapin site. A symposium for environmental professionals will focus on connecting ongoing research to coastal aquatic management efforts. Finally, workshops for crabbers (in all TB counties) will address the need to reduce terrapin mortality in crab pots. This project will create a community-wide awareness of the significant ecological role of diamondback terrapins in brackish ecosystems and introduce positive conservation actions. It will also connect varied groups that can work cooperatively on conservation projects throughout the Tampa Bay region. Diverse student groups will learn about the ecology and conservation of diamondback terrapins and benefit from newly developed educational materials. Environmental professionals (e.g., coastal aquatic/land managers, environmental consultants, regulators) will contribute to distribution and nesting habitat surveys and make sound management decisions that will benefit this species. Installation of BRDs on crab pots will reduce by-catch (including terrapins), while encouraging removal of ghost pots will do the same and remove a significant water hazard.
FTCT CONSERVATION INITIATIVE Florida Riverine Turtles Conservation Program Florida's diverse river systems are an important habitat for turtles. Sixty
percent of Florida turtles are associated with rivers, with seven species
being principally riverine. Threats to these species include habitat loss
and degradation, water pollution and channelization, and both legal and
illegal collection for The Florida Turtle Conservation Trust has developed a multi-faceted program that addresses the need for increased awareness about this threatened group of chelonians. Selected achievements to date: • organized Florida turtle educational exhibits at nature festivals, environmental events and conferences; • organized a public lecture on map turtles at Chipola College (Marianna) • led educational canoe/snorkel trips on Florida rivers; • donated books on Florida turtles to all public school libraries in the six counties bordering the Apalachicola River as well as both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties; • organized a habitat cleanup in the Florida panhandle; • initiated a review by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission of a regulation pertaining to the take of Suwannee cooters, which resulted in a reinterpretation that the subspecies is protected; • supported commercial harvest closure of freshwater turtles; • and create a riverine turtles brochure. Click here for a PDF copy. |
worksheets,and a board game. Another product will be a
brochure describing terrapin ecology for
distribution to our target groups and the public.
We will create and distribute “wanted posters” of terrapins, so the public can assist in an
ongoing regional survey. Finally, we will purchase 8,000 bycatch reduction
devices (BRDs), which will be distributed to local crabbers and affixed to
their traps at three specified locations. 
the food and pet trade.
Riverine turtles, as fascinating as they are,
probably receive the least attention when it
comes to conservation programs.©2011 FTCT |
