October  2022

Georgia Initiative Played Role in Tortoise Listing Decision

In Georgia, the gopher tortoise will not be added to the federal Endangered Species Act list in large part because of the power of partnerships.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said this week the eastern population of gopher tortoises – those east of Alabama’s Tombigbee and Mobile rivers – is “robust” and the species in that segment is no longer a candidate for federal listing. The data-based findings, which do not change state regulations protecting gopher tortoises in Georgia or other states, will be discussed in a virtual public meeting Dec. 13.

Credit for the good news on gophers is shared by Georgia’s Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative. The collaboration that has grown to nearly 30 agencies, conservation organizations, companies, foundations and landowners has been working since 2015 to keep the state reptile off the federal list. The larger aim: preserving Georgia’s economic viability and other native animals and plants in need of conservation.

Commissioner Mark Williams of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said initiative members realized they could work together to hopefully avoid listing the tortoise or do nothing and risk facing increased federal regulation that could affect key parts of the state’s economy if the species was listed.

“While they knew the listing decision would not rest solely on efforts in Georgia, partners brought their unique strengths to the table, set strategic conservation goals and made great strides toward those goals,” Williams said. “In the end, I think that effort helped significantly. This collaborative approach shows tremendous promise as a model for successful wildlife conservation going forward.”

When work began, Georgia had 36 protected populations. The total is now 62, just three shy of the goal. Other additions are possible soon.

The progress has been achieved through range-wide surveys to identify tortoise-rich tracts, extensive coordination with landowners and nonprofits, strategic planning, and deep support, varying from foundations and federal grants to the U.S. Defense Department and the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program. Results include highlight acquisitions such as Ceylon and Alapaha River wildlife management areas, plus conservation easements on private lands. All help make sure gophers are here to stay.

SHELL-EBRATE FALL WITH THESE RESOURCES

Help us celebrate gopher tortoises with some of these WILD activities. Take a look at “Tortoise Troubles”, an activity found in the Georgia Sandhills Guide for Teachers. In this activity, students in upper elementary and middle school can simulate a day in the life of gopher tortoises and see all the hurdles that are in their path throughout their lives. Also contained within this guide are coloring pages and factsheets on gopher tortoises, the longleaf ecosystem and the other animals that call gopher tortoises' burrows home.  November 8th is National STEM/STEAM Day, check out the some of the In Step with STEM ideas found in Project WILD.  Lights Out, Habitat Heroes, or Map that Habitat activities are great ones to use with student to connect STEM concept with wildlife such as gopher tortoises. Tortoises are a great theme for parties and fall time lessons for your preschoolers and kindergarten audiences. For Growing UP WILD, you can pair this tortoise themed snack  or craft with the activities Wildlife is Everywhere, Backbone Bonanza or What's Wild.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

• Triple Early Childhood Educator Workshop. November 19th, 2022 (9am-4pm) Join Projects WET, WILD, and Learning Tree (PLT) to explore three early childhood curricula targeting ages 3–9. Receive three curriculum guides and instruction on incorporating 49 classroom-tested activities and lesson plans into the classroom or learning environment. Cost is $65 per person. Register online.
• Flying WILD Educator Workshop – Feb 4, 2023  9:00 am – 12:30 pm at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. Flying WILD introduces students to bird conservation through school bird festivals and hands-on classroom activities. Flying WILD helps teachers by providing interdisciplinary, standards-based lessons that engage students in real-world learning. The registration fee for this workshop is $15.  Registration deadline is February 1st. Register online.