Turtle Survival Alliance and the Holy Grail

Newest Turtle Survival Alliance-North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group initiative seeks to elucidate the spatial ecology of Bog Turtles in New Jersey by Jordan Gray Bog Turtle. For turtle enthusiasts the world over, those two words commonly incite an innate reaction for this not-so-common turtle. That reaction is often one of awe, fascination, and even desire. […]
Breakthrough in Turtle Genetics Sends 27 Alligator Snapping Turtles Home to Texas

For Immediate Release August 16, 2021 CONTACT: JORDAN GRAY, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, jgray@turtlesurvival.org Twenty-seven Alligator Snapping Turtles seized from illegal trafficking returned to the wild in Texas.Turtle Survival Alliance and Tangled Bank Conservation collaborated on an innovative genetic map to guide wild repatriation.Genetic database will serve as a tool for state and federal […]
TSA Welcomes the NAFTRG to the Alliance

by: Heather Lowe The United States has nearly 60 species of native turtle, including a variety of aquatic species including river cooters (Pseudemys), sliders (Trachemys), musk (Sternotherus), mud (Kinosternon), softshell (Apalone), and snapping turtles (Chelydra and Macrochelys). Across the country, turtle populations are facing a variety of ecological issues including habitat loss/degradation, water quality, and […]
Turtle Sampling Begins in Texas

by: Eric Munscher The North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) sampled the Comal Springs in New Braunfels, Texas for the fourth time (first time in 2013) from February 1-3. Comal Springs is the headwaters to the Comal River and represents a very important ecological region in Texas. Volunteers from SWCA Environmental Consultants, Turtle Survival […]
NAFTRG Conducts Turtle Sampling Trip in Florida

by: Eric Munscher The 14th annual spring Florida park sampling was a success despite harsh weather and atypical conditions. The NAFTRG sampled Manatee, Fanning, and Peacock Springs March 22-24, 2013. At the time of survey southern Georgia, where the Okefenokee Swamp gives rise to the Suwannee River, was heavily impacted by over 18 inches of […]
NAFTRG Conducts Surveys in Florida and Expands its Reach
by: Eric Munscher The 14th annual summer Florida park sampling occurred during late July despite extremely harsh weather and atypical conditions. The NAFTRG sampled Manatee Springs July 19-21, 2013. Prior to, and during, our visit to Manatee Springs, the Suwannee River drainage area was subjected to torrential rain. The Suwannee River swelled its banks and […]
NAFTRG Conducts Turtle Surveys in Texas
by: Heather Lowe The North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) sampled the Comal Springs in New Braunfels, Texas for the fifth time (second time in 2013) from April 12 -14. Comal Springs is the headwaters to the Comal River and represents a very important ecological region in Texas. The study site is in Landa […]
NAFTRG Receives Award for Turtle Work in Texas

by: Eric Munscher The North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) sampled the Comal Springs in New Braunfels, Texas for the sixth time (third time in 2013) from September 20-22, 2013. Comal Springs is the headwaters to the Comal River and represents a very important ecological region in Texas. This area is an iconic site […]
Another Great Year of Turtle Research for the NAFTRG

by: Eric Munscher The North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) sampled the Comal Springs in New Braunfels, Texas for the seventh time (fourth time in 2013) from November 8-10. We captured 442 turtles during this trip, bringing the yearly total for Comal Springs to 1,755 captured and processed turtles. The first sampling session for […]
NAFTRG Samples Comal Springs

by: Heather Lowe Despite having a smaller crew than normal, the North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) still accomplished a lot during their most recent survey event at Comal Springs from February 28 to March 2. The project has now marked more than 1,180 common musk turtles and more than 650 Texas cooters in […]
Florida Turtle Sampling Trips Set Record

by¬†Eric Munscher¬† The North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) sampled several springs in Florida from March 21 to 30. The crew kicked sampling off at Manatee Springs with Dr. John Iverson (TSA Board) and his international class from Earlham College in Indiana. Due to the flooding in the Suwannee River, only about half of […]
Turtle Sampling Sessions Held in Texas and Florida

by¬†Heather Lowe¬† The North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) continued its amazing year with two large summer sampling sessions. In July, the group visited Comal Springs, in New Braunfels, Texas for the third time this year. The crew was able to capture and process 442 turtles, representing four species, over the course of three […]