Governments and NGOs Band Together To Help Turtles

Turtles are one of many types of animals that have suffered a precipitous decline in numbers. In order to better understand and mitigate US and global problems for both fresh- and saltwater turtles and tortoises, many government and advocacy organizations are banding together and branding 2011 the "Year of the Turtle."

Their efforts offer a number of opportunities to cover turtle declines and related issues. One widespread project is a push for "citizen scientists" to report sightings and conditions for selected turtle and tortoise species, either on their own or as part of a "bioblitz." The reports will be used to improve data for a range of representative species.

• USA Turtle Mapping Project.

Among the many agencies and organizations participating in this effort are the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Turtle Conservancy, Turtle Survival Alliance, and the Virginia Herpetological Society.

For much more information, see:

• Year of the Turtle, orchestrated by Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, (includes links to many projects and resources in the US and globally, including state and regional contacts); Feb. 2, 2011, press release.