ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE
Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
Each year, the Turtle Survival Alliance joins with the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group to host the Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. The most esteemed global event of its kind, the Symposium provides an unmatched opportunity for those in our field to share their research, initiatives, techniques, and accomplishments.
ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE
Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
Each year, the Turtle Survival Alliance joins with the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group to host the Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. The most esteemed global event of its kind, the Symposium provides an unmatched opportunity for those in our field to share their research, initiatives, techniques, and accomplishments.
Turtle Survival Alliance
23rd Annual Symposium July 20-25, 2025 Chattanooga, TN
We, the Turtle Survival Alliance and IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, invite you to join us for the 23rd Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, July 20-25, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Symposium will kick off with a pre-conference field trip Sunday, July 20, followed by workshops and an icebreaker with the Tennessee Aquarium Monday, July 21, and three days of sessions. For all turtle biologists and conservationists, this is the annual event you do not want to miss. Registration details will be shared early 2025.
For questions, please contact Chelsea Rinn at crinn@turtlesurvival.org.
Information on the call for Abstracts & Sessions will be released in early 2025. For immediate questions, contact Jordan Gray at jgray@turtlesurvival.org.
A Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris) at the Tennessee Aquarium. Photo courtesy of Doug Strickland/Tennessee Aquarium
Registration
Registration for the 2025 Symposium is now live!
Join us at the Chattanooga Convention Center for an exciting program featuring three full days of presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities and socials, and engaging interactions circled around turtle conservation.
A variety of ticket options will be offered, including:
- Full-conference registration (includes Pre-conference workshops, Icebreaker Social, presentations, and the Awards Banquet)
- Presentations-only tickets
- Add-ons for the additional Icebreaker and Banquet tickets for family and friends
- Add-on Symposium T-shirt and Field Trip options
All full-conference registrations include access to pre-conference workshops on July 21 at the Tennessee Aquarium.
Turtle Survival Alliance members (at the Supporter level or above) receive reduced registration rates, and this year, we’re making it even easier for non-members to save with an add-on membership option during registration.
Early bird registration ends June 30—rates will increase after this date.
Accommodations
2025 Symposium Hotel: Chattanooga Marriott Downtown
Conveniently connected to the Chattanooga Convention Center, the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown offers a comfortable and modern stay in the heart of the city. Just a mile from the scenic Tennessee Riverwalk, this hotel features well-appointed rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and in-room coffee makers.
Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a contemporary American grill, a sports bar, and a café. The hotel also features a fitness center, an indoor and seasonal outdoor pool, and business facilities to ensure a seamless stay.
The special symposium rate is available until June 30, so book your room soon!
Parking and breakfast at the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown are available for a daily fee, with symposium attendees receiving a discounted rate on breakfast.
Call for Abstracts & Travel Grants
Abstract Submission
This is your chance to tell us why YOU should present your findings, accomplishments, and techniques to the largest gathering of tortoise and freshwater turtle specialists in the world. Submit your abstract for consideration through the portal by 11:59 PDT, Monday, April 28, 2025.
Travel Grant Submission
Turtle Survival Alliance is committed to enabling international participants, students, and individuals from diverse backgrounds to attend and present at the Annual Symposium. Both oral and poster presentations are eligible. To be considered for a travel grant, you must submit an abstract for consideration. Submission for a travel grant follows the abstract submission process in the portal. Submit your travel grant request, along with your abstract submission, by 11:59 PDT, Monday, April 28, 2025.
Schedule
Each year, the Symposium delivers a diverse range of programming designed to inspire and inform. Attendees can participate in engaging scientific sessions, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and field trips that provide hands-on conservation experiences. Highlights include:
- Six days of activities, three full days of sessions with 15+ session tracks featuring up to 150 presentations, delivered by more than 100 speakers and poster presenters from around the world
- Pre-conference field trips (7/20) and specialized workshops
- Kick-off Icebreaker Social at the Tennessee Aquarium
- Poster Session Social, Drink Beer. Save Turtles.® event, and book signings
- Awards Banquet Dinner
- Post-conference Zoo Day at the Chattanooga Zoo
A detailed schedule will be available after the Call for Abstracts deadline has passed. Please check back for more information soon.
Symposium T-Shirt
Celebrate the symposium and show your love for turtles with this year’s official commemorative tee!
The exclusive 2025 Annual Symposium T-shirt, designed by the Tennessee Aquarium’s Mike Shuleva, showcases the Painted Terrapin (Batagur borneoensis)—a species that Turtle Survival Alliance and our partners actively work to protect and one that can be seen at the Tennessee Aquarium, this year’s presenting sponsor.
The shirt is a sage green, unisex Known Supply tee, ethically made with certified fair-trade organic materials and free from harmful chemicals—combining sustainability, style, and comfort.
This exclusive symposium T-shirt is available for pre-order for $25, and only through the registration portal as an add-on. Limited quantities will be available onsite for $30, so ordering in advance is strongly recommended.
Pre-order deadline: June 15, 2025
Please only purchase this shirt if you plan to attend the symposium in person. Pre-order yours today through the registration portal.
Group Experience
Explore Chattanooga by Land and Water!
Join fellow Symposium attendees for a unique group experience aboard an authentic WWII amphibious Duck Boat! This fun, narrated tour offers a one-of-a-kind way to see the scenic Chattanooga outdoors—from both the streets and the Tennessee River.
📅 Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 151 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Join us for a fun and scenic group outing aboard a Chattanooga Duck Boat! This amphibious adventure kicks off at 4:00 PM on Sunday, July 20, and lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Attendees will meet at 151 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37402 at 3:30 PM to check in and prepare for boarding. Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase before and after the tour.
Please note: This experience is not wheelchair accessible, and guests will need to climb seven steps to board the Duck Boat.
More information and detailed instructions will be provided after ticket sales close on June 30.
Sponsorship
By supporting the 23rd Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles as a sponsor or vendor, you’re investing in the future of global turtle conservation. Your sponsorship provides critical funding for the event, travel grants, field-based training, and conservation initiatives protecting endangered species while fostering collaboration among leading experts and emerging professionals.
Explore customizable sponsorship opportunities and benefits in our 2025 Sponsorship Packet and join us in making an impact!
