News & Events

Wekiwa Springs Surveys Celebrate 25 Years

By Jordan Gray, External Relations Manager

This fall, we celebrated a major milestone for a remarkable survey effort of Turtle Survival Alliance. In October, the North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (TSA-NAFTRG), also known as the Turtle Survival Alliance Volunteer Science Program, marked the 25th anniversary of its ongoing surveys at Wekiwa Springs State Park. The primary goal of these surveys is to conduct a long-term study of the freshwater turtle population that inhabits Wekiwa Springs.

Located just 12 miles north of one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations, the Orlando metropolitan area, Wekiwa Springs emerges from the Floridian Aquifer at a rate of 42 million gallons of crystalline freshwater per day. A popular destination for tourists—including divers, snorkelers, kayakers, and swimmers—the second-magnitude spring boil flows into a lagoon and spring run that forms the Wekiva River. This winding river meanders through dense forested areas, lined with cypress swamps and oak-dominated uplands, and was designated a National Wild and Scenic River by the United States Congress in 2000. And, it’s home to turtles—lots of them.

The Wekiwa Springs State Park initiative began in 1999 as a research project led by Dr. Brian Hauge, then at Pennsylvania State University, focusing on the cooters (genus Pseudemys) within the spring system. In 2011, the project—formerly known as the Central Florida Turtle Research Group—joined forces with Turtle Survival Alliance, becoming one of its North American field projects. Now led by Wayne Osborne, with logistical support from Eric Munscher and Tabitha Hootman and organizational oversight by Andrew Walde, this project has become the second-longest continuously running annual turtle study in Florida, surpassed only by Dr. Peter Meylan’s renowned work at Rainbow Run.

This research is dedicated to monitoring the populations of all aquatic turtle species in the area, tracking vital metrics such as biomass, density, sex ratios, and changes in survivability. Additionally, we aim to act as an early warning system for Florida State Parks, identifying any emerging negative trends that could impact these ecosystems. Over the past 25 years, we have individually marked more than 5,000 turtles from eight different species, resulting in over 15,000 total captures—a testament to the scope and dedication of this long-term study. The species we sample in these studies are the Peninsula Cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis), Florida Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni), Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox), Loggerhead Musk Turtle (Sternotherus minor), Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta), and the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). On rare occasions, we also document Florida Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia chrysea).

Over the years, this wealth of data has led to the publication of 17 peer-reviewed manuscripts and species notes, deepening our understanding of freshwater turtle species in Florida’s spring systems and informing state conservation regulations. This site has also been the foundation for two master’s degree projects, contributing to the impactful thesis work of Gabriella Hyrchycn and Tabitha Hootman.

Unfortunately, the 25th-anniversary celebration of these incredible efforts had to be postponed until 2025 due to hurricanes Helene and Milton. We had hoped to gather at Wekiwa Springs to mark this milestone, share presentations on our historic findings, and celebrate the dedication of the biologists and volunteers who have contributed to this work. While the celebration is delayed, our gratitude is not—we deeply appreciate everyone who has poured their time, research, and passion into this project.

Completing 25 years of surveys is an extraordinary achievement. Long-term projects lasting beyond five years are rare, and often challenged by financial constraints and changing personnel. Yet, TSA-NAFTRG has sustained research at this site for a quarter of a century, thanks to unwavering volunteer participation, local support that has generated funding, and a dedicated core of researchers committed to the project’s success. While studies spanning 25 years or more exist, they are the exception rather than the rule, standing out amid many shorter-term efforts.

“Reaching the 25-year milestone is an incredible achievement and truly worth celebrating. It’s a testament to unwavering dedication, a strong sense of family and friendship, and, of course, a shared passion for turtles that has kept this project thriving for so many years.” – Eric Munscher, Director, TSA-NAFTRG

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organizations that make this work possible. This research is conducted with the invaluable support and permissions of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida State Parks. Additionally, we are deeply thankful to Friends of the Wekiva River for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in sustaining this long-term effort. Your collaboration and commitment to conservation have been essential to the success of this project, and we are profoundly grateful for your partnership.

Congratulations to all involved, and here’s to 25 more years!

Header image: Nicole Salvatico (left) and Shannon Letcher measure a Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Photo by John Whitfield