Year of the Turtle News No. 2 February 2011
Basking in the Wonder of Turtles www.YearoftheTurtle.org
This young Burmese roof turtle is one of over 400 now living at the Yadanabon Zoo, the result of protecting nesting beaches of the remnant wild population What is PARC? and captive breeding. This rare turtle was considered possibly extinct until it Partners in Amphibian and was “rediscovered” in 2002. Thanks to TSA efforts, this species is on the road to recovery. Reptile Conservation (PARC) is: • a diverse group of The Turtle Survival Alliance conservation-minded The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) populations, the TSA was charged citizens, professionals, and was formed in 2001 as “an IUCN with developing breeding programs organizations partnership for sustainable captive for the most critically endangered of • intended to connect and management of freshwater turtles and the world’s chelonian species. complement existing conservation efforts tortoises.” The TSA arose in response For seven years, the TSA • focused on keeping common to the rampant and unsustainable functioned within the IUCN species common and harvest of Asian turtle populations to (World Conservation Union) protecting habitats supply Chinese markets, a situation structure, recognized as a task force • You! known as the Asian Turtle Crisis. of the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Recognizing that some species of Specialist Group (TFTSG). With The PARC Mission: To conserve turtles and tortoises were unlikely branches in Europe and the U.S., the amphibians, reptiles and their to survive without well-managed TSA organized a diverse partnership habitats as integral parts of our involving zoos and aquariums, ecosystem and culture through universities, private breeders and Inside: page proactive and coordinated public/ serious hobbyists, veterinarians, Why Care About Turtles? 2 private partnerships. conservation NGOs, range country Year of the Turtle Partners 3 turtle facilities and turtle rescue Read more about PARC at World Turtle Day 8 organizations. That diversity is one www.parcplace.org, and be sure of the TSA’s core strengths and has to read the “10 Years of PARC” Jane Goodall Environmental allowed the development of a global brochure for a great overview of Middle School 9 network of linked breeding programs, the organization: http://www. Turtles in Oneida Culture 10 known as Assurance Colonies. The parcplace.org/documents/ PARC Regional Spotlight 11 TSA has attained recognition for its PARC10year.pdf.
Upcoming Meetings 12 continued on p. 6 “Behold the turtle. He makes progress when his neck is out.” — James Bryant Conant (1893-1978), educator and scientist Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 2 Why Care About Turtles? Get Your February Key reasons to care about turtles include: Calendar! • Ethics • Aesthetics • Ecosystem Services Turtles and tortoises are unique animals, iconic throughout world cultures as symbols of wisdom and steadfast qualities, and globally recognized by their shells. They have persisted on Earth for over 200 million years and through many world disturbance events. Their precipitous losses now are indicative of the threat that humans are having to world ecosystems, where our natural heritage is being lost. Biodiversity retention has ethical and aesthetic rationales. The USA has more turtle and tortoise species than any other nation. We are Reinier Goudswaard photographed a turtle biodiversity hotspot. Retaining this natural heritage is synonymous this Painted Turtle (Chrysemys with ecosystem stewardship and maintenance of healthy waters and lands. picta) swimming in a large pond upstream from a cascade near Otter Ecologically, turtles are Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway centrally nested in food webs, in Virginia in July 2010. See this tying together producer and month’s winner (above) and runner- consumer components of up at www.parcplace.org/YOTYear the food chain. Their loss oftheTurtleCalendarFebruary.pdf rearranges predator-prey food chains, altering native wild Call for Photos for the 2011 communities. Year of the Turtle Calendar Photo Contest Turtles are important commercial products in many It’s not too late to enter the 2011 world cultures, providing food, Calendar Photo Contest! We are traditional medicines, and accepting entries all year long. Northern Diamondback Terrapin, Give us your best shot! For more pets. They can be effectively (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin). Photo by and humanely farmed, which Kevin Plitt. information and for entry details, can reduce losses of wild turtles. please visit www.parcplace.org/ yearoftheturtlephoto.htm.
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Submit Your Citizen Science Projects Ask the Experts! Do you have a list of turtle citizen science projects? Are you involved with Do you have questions about turtle a specific citizen program or have information on a project? Other turtle biology or turtle conservation issues, enthusiasts would love to hear about it in order to get involved as well! One but you can’t quite seem to find the great example is the work of the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Tally (www.torontozoo. answers? Submit your turtle questions com/adoptapond/TurtleTally.asp). Please send information on your citizen via email (yearoftheturtle2011@ science programs to [email protected] and help us get more gmail.com) to our panel of experts, citizens involved in turtle science! and we will select questions to answer in our upcoming newsletter editions. Please include your name and location in your email message. Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 3 Get Involved in the Year of the Turtle! The Year of the Turtle Team is in a future newsletter. Please contact this year. If you have ideas, please encouraging partnerships for Year of David Dimitrie, our newsletter editor, forge right ahead and do not hesitate the Turtle! By getting involved with at yearoftheturtle2011@gmail. to tie your efforts to Year of the Turtle! Year of the Turtle, you can help us com for article contents and length We have had some very creative and achieve a heightened awareness of guidelines; articles to be included beneficial suggestions such as taking turtle concerns and ongoing efforts. are determined by the 15th of the turtle conservation concepts to There are several benefits to you previous month. Be sure to send local communities through arts or and your group by getting involved: photos to accompany your articles! humanities expositions and including 1. We will feature a brief 3. We will post your logo and web the Year of the Turtle logos in everyday introduction to your group with your link at the Year of the Turtle website, events; having turtle biology or logo and website, as space permits, and similarly, we will give you our conservation talks showcased at local in the Year of the Turtle News as logo and web link to place on your and national meetings or festivals; well as on the Year of the Turtle website. and developing media “splashes” such website. Send your information to Another way you can get involved as films, YouTube videos, billboards, [email protected] to is to help us with our Turtle Mapping and spokespersons. become a partner today! Project. Go to www.yearoftheturtle. We are very excited to extend the Year of the Turtle to a broader 2. If you would like to write a org for more information. Finally, we encourage everyone audience through your participation! longer article about a particular Get involved today! project your group is conducting, we to think of how they or their group may be able to include that as a feature might promote turtle conservation Year of the Turtle Collaborating Partners The Year of the Turtle Planning Team is pleased to welcome the following organizations to our growing list of collaborating partners: American Tortoise Rescue was founded to provide for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle. We offer permanent sanctuary to abandoned and lost tortoises. We also provide information about the care, feeding, and rehabilitation of endangered and captive-bred tortoises. We also work to protect the desert tortoise from collectors, off-road vehicles, and loss of habitat. American Tortoise Rescue has sponsored World Turtle Day on May 23 since it was created in 2000. www.tortoise.com Australian Freshwater Turtle Conservation and Research Association (AFTCRA), Inc.’s mission is to protect all Australian Freshwater Turtle species and to prevent extinction by ensuring sustainable populations can and do exist in the wild. Our current activities are conducting field research and promoting awareness through education. We intend to establish an education centre plus establish assurance colonies and breeding programs of threatened species. We also hope to be able to fund small research projects in collaboration with Australian universities. www.aftcra.org.au
Australian Freshwater Turtles Forum is a not-for-profit organisation with over 4,500 members dedicated not only to educating people with the most up to date freshwater turtle husbandry to provide a happy and rewarding life for turtles bred and kept in captivity, but also the preservation and conservation of freshwater turtles throughout the world. Our members have organised and participated in many rescues of freshwater turtles around Australia that have been put in danger by human activities and changing climatic conditions. www.turtles.net.au Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 4 More Year of the Turtle Collaborating Partners Colorado Reptile Humane Society works to improve the lives of reptiles and amphibians in captivity and in the wild through education and action. We accomplish our mission by providing shelter and proper husbandry while securing permanent homes for the animals; providing captive care education to the public; participating in conservation efforts locally and internationally; and engaging in rehabilitation and release of native species. Our annual event is The Reptile Experience, and we will be using the Year of the Turtle as our theme this year. www.corhs.org
DFW Turtle & Tortoise Club was created to exchange ideas and information in order to create a better understanding of the care of turtles and tortoises with a focus, though not exclusively, in the Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas area. www.dfwttc.org
The Eastern Box Turtle Conservation Trustwas founded in 1993 with the aim of developing and testing potential strategies that might enable the rebuilding of extirpated or decimated box turtle populations. Our mission is “to enhance turtle conservation, native population recruitment and repatriation, in order to improve the declining prospects of turtle species, particularly of the Eastern Box turtle (Terrapene carolina) in Northwestern Pennsylvania.” www.ebtct.org Jenkinson’s Aquarium is dedicated to conservation and educating the public on marine life conservation. We strive to provide our guests with a unique and memorable experience through creative exhibits and innovative education programs. Our exhibits are designed to promote awareness of animals and their habitats and inspire an appreciation of wildlife. This connection with wildlife helps to ensure preservation of species and habitats. www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to promoting the preservation and proliferation of healthy wildlife habitats in Loudoun County, Virginia. We hold over 100 free programs and field trips annually, lead a summer nature camp, engage residents in environmental monitoring programs (Stream Monitoring, Amphibian Monitoring, Bluebird Nestbox Monitoring, Bird Surveys, Butterfly count), and execute 2-3 major habitat restoration events each year. www.loudounwildlife.org
Piedmont Wildlife Rehab, Inc. sympathizes with humans uncomfortable with wildlife situations and focuses on helping people as well as injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of nurturing an appreciation for our local wildlife and environment through education and experience with animals. www.piedmontwildliferehab.org
Texas Herp Naturalists aims to advance appreciation of herpetofauna and other wildlife and wild places in Texas, understanding of natural history and biological concepts, and support for conservation of plant and animal communities in Texas. Texas Herp Naturalists is a project of Michael Smith and Clint King, consisting of a website and a quarterly e-publication, Texas Field Notes, distributed free to subscribers. www.texasherp.org Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 5 More Year of the Turtle Collaborating Partners The Turtle Conservation & Research Programme (TCRP) is a scientific society dedicated to safeguarding freshwater turtle species in northeast India. The TCRP seeks global input for local solutions to saving endangered turtles. Since its inception in 2009, the TCRP has initiated a freshwater turtle conservation program in the state of Assam and has started a community awareness and capacity building project for safeguarding the region’s turtle. tcrpnortheast.wikispaces.com
The Walter L. Stasavich Science & Nature Center is located at River Park North in Geenville, North Carolina. The Science and Nature Center is an educational hub, home to an exhibit area that includes a 10,000 gallon freshwater aquarium, a live snapping turtle tank, a “Turtle Touch” tank, two wildlife dioramas, an interactive frog and toad identification computer game, five snake habitats, and more. www.greenvillenc.gov
Our full list of partners can be found at www.yearoftheturtle.org.
Turtles in the News The Gazette Times of Corvallis, www.pe.com/localnews/ Submit Your Turtle Oregon highlights the efforts of the stories/PE_News_Local_D_ Art, Stories, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric tortoise05.405081d.html Administration, the Gulf states, Poetry local fishermen, and many nonprofit Two men from Japan were recently Do you have turtle art, partners in sea turtle aid in the arrested at Los Angeles International stories, or poetry that could be aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill Airport amid accusations of an highlighted during the Year of the in the Gulf of Mexico. More than attempt to smuggle 55 live turtles Turtle? Submit your turtle art (in 400 sea turtles were rescued and and tortoises into the United States. jpg, tiff, or pdf format) and copies rehabilitated (with greater than Read the Los Angeles Times story at: of your stories and poems via 96% of these individuals surviving), www.latimes.com/news/ email to yearoftheturtle2011@ over 25,000 sea turtle eggs were local/la-me-0111-turtle- gmail.com. We will be including moved to avoid oiled waters, and oil smuggle-20110111,0,6789292. submissions in upcoming spill monitoring efforts identified story newsletters and in other Year of the additional problem of turtles the Turtle materials and outreach drowning in fishing gear. Read the Vietnam’s only living animal efforts throughout 2011, and we full story at: deity could be in mortal danger, as want your work to be part of it! www.gazettetimes.com/ new wounds open old fears about news/opinion/columnists/ the survival of the legendary Hoan article_52e11592-16fe-11e0-98e9- Kiem Lake Turtle. Read the full 001cc4c03286.html story from Thanh Nien News at: www.thanhniennews.com/2010/ Some of the desert tortoises moved Pages/20110108115744.aspx to make way for a solar energy plant in the Mojave Desert appear to If you have items you would like have contracted an infectious upper to contribute to Turtles in the News, respiratory disease. Read the full please send them for consideration to story from the Press-Enterprise of [email protected]. Riverside, California at: Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 6
Turtle Survival Alliance, cont.from p.1 With 28 species, 7 of them endemic, Myanmar ability to build partnerships with (formerly Burma) is a government regulatory authorities turtle diversity hotspot. However, Chinese and to help move otherwise doomed, markets are depleting illegally traded, and confiscated turtles many populations and at and tortoises into programs designed least five are considered critically endangered. One to prevent their extinction. Assurance of these - the Burmese star Colonies are organized both in situ (in tortoise - is functionally the range country) or ex situ (outside extinct in nature and depends on captive the range country) and are crucial to breeding for survival. The preventing the extinction of many TSA has built or renovated species, some of which have already three breeding facilities designed to build up been lost in nature. In 2005, the TSA captive stocks and provide options for future recovery. Lei Lei Khaing is shown sought non-profit status to allow here with some of her charges at Lawkananda Park. more effective handling of finances and created the TSA Foundation, Although the TSA was organized in turtles and tortoises around the world. 501(c)(3) registered in the state of response to the Asian Turtle Crisis, The model is successful because of Texas. the group is well positioned to partnerships, and the TSA strongly respond to other endangered turtle believes in building capacity for species, particularly where a managed saving turtles in the countries where breeding component is included in they live. They identify individuals their overall survival strategy. While and facilities that are already involved the turtle extinction crisis remains in turtle conservation and work to most acute in Southeast Asia, the help them get better at what they situation is actually global in scope. do because in the end, the battle to In recent years, the number of save species will be won or lost in the turtle species added to the IUCN countries where they live. Red List as Endangered has more A Sampling of the TSA’s Rupali Ghosh with an old male Batagur than doubled, and that number will baska from a village pond in Bangladesh. continue to grow as the Red Listing Programs The owner had the terrapin for more process is applied to species in Africa China - than 50 years. In China, the TSA has been and South America. working since 2007 to breed the last Today, the organization’s niche is The TSA focuses on critically known female Yangtze Giant Softshell working in range countries where endangered species and employs a Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) in existence. endangered chelonian species occur, two-pronged approach to prevent After extensive negotiations, the TSA developing the capacity for turtle extinction and promote recovery. The spearheaded the move of the female conservation through training and organization works in range countries to the Suzhou Zoo, where she has capacity building, and generally - especially those considered to be been paired with the last known male emphasizing programs with a turtle diversity hotspots - to support in China. The TSA has provided captive component (headstarting, field research and conservation nutritional and husbandry expertise, captive breeding, and rescue). The programs while at the same time as well as exhibit improvements, in TSA operates under a singular, securing the species in captivity as an attempt to increase the chances overarching commitment: zero turtle a guard against extinction in the of successfully reproducing this extinctions in the 21st century. wild. The TSA also develops captive rarest of turtles. www.turtlesurvival. Since forming, the TSA has become breeding programs outside the range org/component/taxonomy/term/ recognized as a global force for turtle countries as an extra measure of summary/18/45 conservation, capable of taking protection against extinction. Today, Myanmar - With 28 species swift and decisive action on behalf the TSA supports and manages (including seven that are endemic, of critically endangered chelonians. recovery programs for endangered Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 7 or found nowhere else on Earth) initiatives are also underway for the Bangladesh – The TSA began Myanmar is a turtle diversity hotspot Sunderbans Batagur, narrow-headed working in Bangladesh more and is currently considered “ground softshell turtle, Leith’s softshell turtle extensively in recent months, zero” for the Asian turtle crisis. and the crowned river turtle. Large- working to save the last remnants Working in conjunction with the scale illegal collecting for Asian of the Sunderbans river terrapin – a Wildlife Conservation Society, the markets threatens the survival of species that is recognized as one of the TSA works to implement recovery many of India’s turtles, and the TSA most threatened of Asia’s large river programs for some highly endangered India program may be their only hope turtles. Working with the Bangladesh endemic species, while also for the future. www.turtlesurvival. Forest Department and the NGO coordinating a comprehensive and org/component/taxonomy/term/ CARINAM, TSA biologists have humane response to the thousands of summary/19/45 literally been plying markets and smuggled turtles that are confiscated backyard ponds to acquire specimens each year on their way to China. for a captive breeding program. www. Multiple captive breeding and rescue turtlesurvival.org/component/ centers are currently being built or taxonomy/term/summary/119/45 planned that will secure the future for turtles saved from the illegal trade. A new Turtle Conservation Coordinator has been hired on a full-time basis to coordinate the TSA’s multi-faceted programs in Myanmar and will begin TSA funded surveys in 2010 documented work in mid-January 2011. www. the continued decline of the Central turtlesurvival.org/component/ American River turtle, locally known as the Hicatee, and unless better protective taxonomy/term/summary/23/45 measures can be implemented, this species is likely headed for extinction in Belize, currently the species’ stronghold. Madagascar’s four species of tortoises The TSA is raising funds to support a currently face unprecedented threats comprehensive recovery program that to their survival due to uncontrolled will halt this species downward spiral. poaching for international black markets or for food. To better confront Belize – TSA conducted surveys these daunting challenges the TSA hired Herilala Randriamahazo to coordinate recently that documented the efforts there to develop strategies to continued and steady decline of protect remaining wild populations. the Central American river turtle, To ensure the survival of the critically locally known as the Hickatee. A Madagascar - With five endemic endangered Red-crowned roof turtle in India, the TSA funds the protection TSA sponsored workshop led to species – four of them tortoises – of the nests on the Chambal River the development of a Hickatee Madagascar is considered a tortoise where as few as 400 females may Conservation Monitoring Network diversity hotspot. Unfortunately, all remain. Many juveniles are then raised in headstarting facilities and later that is mobilizing to prevent the of these species were recently ranked released when they are large enough to gradual extinction of this unique Critically Endangered by the IUCN stand a better chance of survival. turtle. A media campaign will soon Red List, due primarily to unregulated be launched, and training workshops collecting for food and the black India - The TSA India program aimed at building capacity among market pet trade. The TSA has been is managed by Indian biologists the conservation NGO community working in Madagascar for many that seek local solutions to saving in Belize to continue survey and years and fortified its commitment to turtles including converting former monitoring work. A pilot husbandry this region last year by hiring a full- poachers and providing alternative program to test the feasibility of time Malagasy Tortoise Conservation income sources. The focal point of breeding and rearing Hickatee in Coordinator to coordinate all of its this comprehensive program is the captivity is also in the planning stages. field programs. A top priority will iconic and critically endangered red- www.turtlesurvival.org/component/ be to increase protection to Radiated crowned roof turtle. Multiple species taxonomy/term/summary/115/45 tortoise populations that are currently Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 8 TSA, continued Recent Publication: undergoing catastrophic declines due four institutions, totally representing to poaching. www.turtlesurvival. 136 individuals and institutions Aquatic Turtle org/component/taxonomy/term/ dedicated to conserving the world’s Assemblage in summary/21/45 tortoises and freshwater turtles. Missouri Animal Management - A recent study, published in Building For more information on TSA the Journal of Fish and Wildlife self-sustaining captive populations programs, please visit www. Management, provides a review of the of targeted critically endangered turtlesurvival.org/projects/by- aquatic turtle assemblage in southeast chelonian species is fundamental country Missouri. The publication reports the to the TSA’s mission, and one of The TSA is also pleased to findings of a mark–recapture study at a foundations that the organization announce a “Call for Sessions” for lake and adjacent borrow pit in a relict was built upon. A Director of Animal their 9th Annual Symposium on tract of bottomland hardwood forest Management was hired in 2010 the Conservation and Biology of in the Mississippi River floodplain in to help the TSA achieve its goal Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, southeast Missouri. The full review is of developing captive populations being held August 14-17, 2011 in available at www.fwspubs.org/doi/ to save species from extinction. Orlando, Florida. To download pdf/10.3996/072010-JFWM-020 The TSA’s estimated current the official “Call for Sessions” holdings consist of 1730 specimens please visit www.turtlesurvival. Article Citation: representing 35 species, many of org/storage/documents/2011_ Glorioso, B. M., A. J. Vaughn, which are Critically Endangered or Conference/Call_for_Sessions- and J. H. Waddle. 2010. The aquatic Endangered. Maintaining captive Workshop_01-11-11.pdf. turtle assemblage inhabiting a assurance colonies may be their last More information on the 9th highly altered landscape in southeast hope of survival. Caring for this Annual Symposium can be found Missouri. Journal of Fish and valuable collection are 95 private at www.turtlesurvival.org/get- Wildlife Management 1:161-168. individuals, 37 zoos and aquaria, and involved/2011-conference. doi: 10.3996/072010-JFWM-020
California Sanctuary to Sponsor 11th World Turtle Day In honor of one of the world’s breeding stock is drastically reduced. oldest creatures, American Tortoise It is a very sad time for turtles and Rescue (ATR) is sponsoring its 11th tortoises of the world.” annual World Turtle Day on May Tellem and Thompson recommend 23rd. Featured in Chase’s Book of that turtle enthusiasts do their part Annual Events, this day was created when undersize or endangered turtles to help to save turtles and tortoises as an annual observance to help are confiscated, and they provide for future generations, and they hope people celebrate and protect turtles helpful information and referrals World Turtle Day will continue to and tortoises and their disappearing to persons with sick, neglected or aid in increasing awareness of the habitats around the world. ATR, abandoned turtles. conservation issues surrounding a nonprofit organization based in World Turtle Day was started to turtles. ATR encourages you to join Malibu, California, was established in bring attention to, and to increase them in celebrating World Turtle 1990 for the protection of all species respect for and knowledge of, turtles Day on May 23rd. For answers to of tortoises and turtles. Susan Tellem and tortoises. “These gentle animals questions and other information visit and Marshall Thompson, founders of have been around for about 200 ATR online at www.tortoise.com or ATR, advocate humane treatment of million years, yet they are rapidly send an e-mail to [email protected]. all animals, including reptiles. Since disappearing,” says Tellem. “We are You can also follow ATR on Twitter 1990, ATR has placed about 3,000 seeing smaller turtles coming into the (@tortoiserescue) and on Facebook tortoises and turtles in caring homes. Rescue, meaning that older adults are (American Tortoise Rescue). ATR also assists law enforcement disappearing from the wild, and the Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p. 9 Education Spotlight: Turtles and Conservation Biology at Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School by Keara Gann, Research Project predator assessment. Coordinator As an environmentally focused charter school, JGEMS emphasizes Western pond turtles have been environmental awareness and viewed as cute and compelling science stewardship, providing a large variety teachers to many 8th graders at the of field experiences that supplement Jane Goodall Environmental Middle traditional classroom lessons. Turtles School (JGEMS) in Salem, Oregon. were one of six animals and/or For 10 years, JGEMS students habitats studied by student groups Service. The goal of these research have performed research projects as this year. projects is to connect students with part of their Conservation Biology In order for research projects to local scientists and perform real, curriculum. Students first form be a success, JGEMS partners with meaningful research to show them groups of interest before embarking various organizations to assist with that at any time in your life, at any upon a year-long project. For 8th project design and data collection. age, you can make a difference in graders, turtles often are at the top of For the last two years, JGEMS has the scientific community and spread their list of interests. worked closely with David Vesely awareness about environmental of Oregon Wildlife Institute, who issues that are important to you. accompanied the students on many With the support of local scientific of the turtle data collection trips organizations, JGEMS will continue last year. Vesely demonstrated to spread this message and further proper survey techniques, as well turtle-related student research. as provided information, assistance For more information, please contact: and supervision. Ryan Sparks, Keara Gann (kearagann(at)gmail.com), Luckiamute State Natural Area Park Research Project Coordinator Manager, and Karen Hans, Oregon Marie Carver (CARVER_MARIE(at) Department of Fish and Wildlife salkeiz.k12.or.us), Co-Director of JGEMS Last year, one group studied western (ODFW) Fish Biologist, have also and lead Conservation Biology teacher. pond turtle habitat at Luckiamute been integral to the success of the Are You an Educator or State Natural Area. They focused on research projects. the nesting habitat surrounding the Interpretive Naturalist? two main ponds, looking at grass We want to continue to build height, ground cover percent, canopy on our collection of Year of the cover, and other measurements. Turtle resources for teachers Students also estimated the potential and naturalists like those at Jane amount of aquatic and overwintering Goodall Environmental Middle habitat and spent time observing the School! If you are willing to share, resident turtles. please send your unit materials, The students weren’t content with educational program information, merely quantifying but wanted to or PowerPoint presentations to help the turtles as well. At the end Near the end of the school year, yearoftheturtle2011@gmail. of the school year they performed a each research group presents their com. Please include your name, the service project at the site, placing a findings to a panel of scientists. All name of your school/nature center basking structure in the western pond of their data is available to the public or organization, and location. If and planting willows in the area. This and is often used by organizations you did not create the materials, year a research group is continuing such as the ODFW and the US Forest please be sure to tell us where you the Luckiamute study with an added found the materials. Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p.10 Turtles in the Oneida Indian Culture
By Dale Rood, Oneida Nation Turtle Clan Council Member
The “True Spirit of Thanksgiving,” the inaugural float sponsored by an American Indian nation in the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade’s® history, is a retelling of the Oneida’s Creation Story, depicting a giant turtle representing Turtle Island or Mother Earth. Turtle’s significance to the Oneida starts in our Creation Story. In our ancient oral tradition, Oneidas expressed their understanding of how they came to be in the world. The following excerpt is one rendition of our creation: In the beginning, this place was only darkness and water until the time when a woman fell from the sky world. Water creatures dwelling here, concerned for the woman’s safety, created this land as a platform for the woman with turtle agreeing to hold the land upon his back, which became known as Mother Earth. set aside. For a long while, the village could not find a way that allowed the village to mourn the death of a village Mother Earth is also referred to as Turtle Island in member as is custom, and continue with the village’s day to Oneida and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) tradition. day matters. The leaders of the village were at an impasse. Another version of the Creation Story expands upon the above formation of earth: One day a young man of the village decided he would approach the leaders and offer his solution to the village’s The water animals summoned a great turtle and patted the problem. He proposed to the leaders to send the eldest earth upon its back for Sky Woman. At once the turtle grew women of the village down to the river to spend the night. and grew, as did the amount of earth. This earth became The young man said to the leaders, “Ask those women to North America, a great island, Turtle Island. make a fire near the river and spend the night. Ask them that at first light the following morning, pray to the creator Within the Oneida Nation, the people are born into and afterward to take notice of the first animal that comes one of three clans–turtle, bear or wolf—determined to the river. Once this happens, ask the women to return to matrilineally. Each clan bears its own characteristics. the village and tell you what they saw.” Turtles are known to teach patience and the importance of determination, as well as personifying strength and The women returned from the river later the following solidarity, age and wisdom. Turtles are well respected. The morning. They met with the leaders and they were asked legend of how clans were chosen is believed to have its to tell what they had seen. The first woman said she saw a origins in the Haudenosaunee mourning process: TURTLE at the edge of the river. The second woman said she saw a WOLF running along the river. The third woman Long ago, the entire village used to mourn the death of a said she saw a BEAR feeding in the river on the rocks. family member.
The leaders then appointed the Turtle, Wolf and Bear Ceremonies and other important decisions were put Clans to each family via the women, and it was decided off to mourn the death of a village member. The custom that the family clan would pass through the mother from to postpone important decisions for the village caused generation to generation as they have the Creator’s gift to problems for the village as regular business matters were Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p.11 Turtles in Oneida Indian Culture, continued from p. 10
create life. Now, with the clans established, when one clan had a death in the family, one of the remaining clans would console the grieving clan, leaving the other clan to attend to the village’s ceremonies and important day-to-day business. Clan members choose leaders to represent them on the Oneida Council, the Nation’s governmental body, which makes decisions for the present while bearing in mind the impact upon the seventh generation to come.
PARC Regional Working Group Spotlight: Blanding’s Turtle Conservation Highlights the 2010 Midwest PARC Annual Meeting The 2010 Midwest PARC (MWPARC) Annual Meeting was held in August at the Northern Illinois University Lorado Taft Field Campus and focused on the biology, conservation, and management of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). The Blanding’s Turtle is a medium-sized freshwater turtle documented from 10 of the 14 states within the Midwest United States. A species ranking exercise placed the Blanding’s Turtle in the highest category of the 164 species of herpetofauna native to the Midwest, due to the majority of its range occurring within the Midwest and most states listing the species as endangered, threatened, special concern, or a species of greatest conservation need. A highlight of the Annual Meeting was the presentation of the results of the Blanding’s Turtle Conservation Assessment Survey (available at www.mwparc.org/products/blandings/Blandings_Turtle_Conservation_Assessment_2010_FINAL.pdf). Additionally, four task teams were formed to address issues related to the conservation of Blanding’s Turtles. The overall goal of these task teams will be to address issues brought forward during the Annual Meeting, and their principle output will be products that will add significantly to the Conservation Assessment Survey. The task teams and their respective goals are:
1. Blanding’s Turtle Distribution Mapping: Develop current distribution maps for the Midwest with township- level distribution. 2. Best Blanding’s Turtle Populations: Identify what each state considers their “best” population. 3. Blanding’s Turtle Core Areas: Develop a white paper on the core areas used by Blanding’s Turtles throughout their range. 4. Habitat Management, Surveying, and Monitoring for Blanding’s Turtles: Develop a document with recommendations for land-managers and those tasked with surveying and monitoring populations. Be sure to check the MWPARC website (www.mwparc.org) for future updates on these task teams as well as other recent MWPARC products (www.mwparc.org/products), including a focus on raccoons and turtle conservation. More information on the results of the 2010 MWPARC Annual Meeting may be found at www.mwparc.org/ meetings/2010. Year of the Turtle News No. 2, February 2011, p.12 Upcoming Meetings and Events
The Wildlife Society, Western The Wildlife Society, State Chapter Section Annual Conference. Annual Meetings: Acknowledgements February 8-11, Riverside, California. Arkansas Chapter, with the The Year of the Turtle would Southeast PARC Annual Arkansas Chapter of the American like to give a great “Thank You” Meeting, “Reptile and Amphibian Fisheries Society. February 2-4, to Simon Pelletier, Wildlife Conservation Southern Style” Little Rock, Arkansas. Technician from Québec, Canada, February 17-20 at Lake Tiak for his translation of the State of Arizona and New Mexico O’Khata, Louisville, Mississippi. the Turtle into French (La situation Chapters, with AZ/NM Chapter, des tortues). The French version is The Desert Tortoise Council 36th American Fisheries Society. available at http://www.parcplace. Annual Meeting and Symposium. February 3-5, Pinetop, Arizona. org/YOTStateoftheTurtleFrench. February 18-20, Las Vegas, Nevada. pdf. Virginia Chapter, February 8-9, Merci, Simon! 76th North American Wildlife and Front Royal, Virginia. Natural Resources Conference. Oregon Chapter, March 14-19, Kansas City, Missouri. February 9-11, Bend, Oregon. Ross Kiester is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums banquet speaker, talking turtles! Mid-Year Meeting. March 19-24, Colorado Chapter, Chattanooga, Tennessee. February 21-25, Fort Collins, Colorado. Northwest PARC Annual Meeting. Indiana Chapter, March 21-22 in Gig Harbor, with IN Chapter Washington. American Fisheries Society. February 22-23, Montgomery, Indiana. Rare Pond Species Survey Kentucky Chapter, Subscribe Now! Techniques Workshop, April 2-3, February 24- Rohnert Park, California. 25, Lake Cumberland State Park, Be sure you don’t miss any Kentucky. upcoming editions of the Year North Carolina PARC Annual of the Turtle News! If you have South Dakota Chapter, Meeting, with NC Chapter, February not already, subscribe to the The Wildlife Society. April 5-7, 28-March 2, Oacoma, South Dakota monthly electronic newsletter Junaluska, North Carolina. Wisconsin Chapter, with Society by submitting an email with the subject “subscribe” to Heckscher Spring Festival. April of American Foresters. March 1-3, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. yearoftheturtle2011@gmail. 30-May 1, Long Island, New York. com. Washington Chapter, with Society World Turtle Day. May 23. for Northwestern Vertebrate Second Mediterranean Congress of Biology. March 22-25, Gig Harbor, Herpetology, May 23-27, Morocco. Washington
USFWS Conservation & Trade Management Web Page The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Wildlife Trade Program is pleased to announce the posting of a new webpage on our recent workshop “Conservation and Trade Management of Freshwater and Terrestrial Turtles in the United States.” The four day workshop was held in St. Louis, Missouri in September 2010.http:// www.fws.gov/international/DMA_DSA/CITES/animals/turtles.html