Gopher Tortoise Day Is April 10

April 10 has been declared Gopher Tortoise Day by the Gopher Tortoise Council, and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is making it official. She is scheduled to sign a proclamation designating April 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day in Alabama. Thank you, Gov. Ivey, for your support in bringing attention to this species!

In Alabama, gopher tortoises are federally and state protected and found in the lower third of the state in 23 counties.

Help us with conservation of this important species by adopting April 10 as Alabama Gopher Tortoise Day in your community. Here are some resources to help you plan.

If you have questions about Gopher Tortoise Day, hosting an event, or adopting a resolution, please contact Ericha Nix, Nongame Wildlife Program and Gopher Tortoise State Lead.

Alabama Tortoise Alliance

The Alabama Tortoise Alliance was formed to foster an increased level of communication, collaboration and conservation among stakeholders to actively manage and conserve gopher tortoise populations and habitat in Alabama so that the species no longer warrants state or federal protection.

Stakeholders include non-industrial private landowners, local governments, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and business interests.

The Alabama Tortoise Alliance met in December 2017 to inform participants about gopher tortoise conservation efforts in Alabama. You can watch videos of the presentations here.