Partners Share Conservation Ideas at Bog Turtle Recovery Conference

Over 30 organizations meet to share results, new ideas, and learn the latest conservation techniques to recover the endangered bog turtle

The smallest turtles in North America, bog turtles were federally listed as a threatened species in 1997. Threats facing bog turtles include habitat loss due to development, invasive species and natural succession. Despite these challenges, these tiny turtles are not without hope.

In 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepared a recovery plan that set the stage for bog turtle conservation and recovery of its populations in the long-term.

The Service began a bog turtle status review in 2011 to determine whether populations increased, remained stable or continued to decline. Based on this review, the Service and our partners are preparing a five-year plan to reduce the magnitude of threats facing bog turtles and develop conservation actions to help recover the species.

In Nov. 2011, representatives from more than 30 partner organizations – state agencies, non-profits, universities and many more – met in Langhorne, Penn. to discuss the bog turtle’s status and provide input for future conservation actions.

“The purpose of the bog turtle recovery meeting is to bring our partners together to share information and provide input that will inform future conservation actions,” said Alison Whitlock, the Service’s Bog Turtle Recovery Coordinator. “It is also a great opportunity to share the latest conservation efforts and results from across the Northeast, and for new staff to learn from experts in the field who have been working with bog turtles for over 20 years.”

You can read more about bog turtles, conservation actions, and get the latest news on our five-year plan here: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice/Endangered/bogturtle.html