Publications

Access TSA's North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group publications HERE. 

Volunteer

*Due to the ongoing pandemic and record high cases/deaths, our volunteer sampling trips are on hold until further notice. We cannot in good faith ask volunteers to travel and congregate, from across the country. Be safe! We will see you all in the water as soon as we are able!*

What You’ll Do
Study volunteers snorkel the springs for 3-5 day sampling sessions. All turtle species are captured, measured and marked (either PIT tags or tattoos). Invasive species are removed. The day starts at around 9 am and the crew typically leaves the water around 5 or 6 pm. You will catch a lot of turtles!

What You’ll Need
If you want to get in the water, the only real way to catch the majority of the species in the springs is to give chase. Volunteers will need to provide their own snorkel equipment – mask and fins are a must! A wetsuit is also highly recommended, as the water at some sampling sites can be quite chilly. A change of clothes is also suggested. If you'd prefer to stay dry, there are plenty of other ways to help. Volunteers are needed to row canoes and kayaks to support the snorkel team in the water. Extra hands are also useful on the land, measuring turtles and recording data. No matter your experience, the team will find a way for you to help!

See below for past dates and locations:

Sampling days for 2019:

• February 22nd - 24th - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• March 23rd - 27th - Rock/Wekiwa Springs, Apopka, Florida
• March 27th - 28th - Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida
• March 28th - 29th - Manatee/Fanning Springs, Chiefland, Florida
• March 30th - 31st - Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Hildreth, Florida
• May 17-19 - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• May 22-23 - Bull Creek, County Line on the Lake, Austin, Texas #WorldTurtleDay
• July 20-24 - Rock/Wekiwa Springs, Apopka, Florida
• July 25-26 - Blue Springs, Orange City, Florida
• September 20-22 - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• September 21-22 - Blue Springs, Orange City, Florida
• October 12 -13 Manatee/Fanning Springs, Chiefland, Florida
• October 19 - 20 -Bull Creek, County Line on the Lake, Austin, Texas
• October 26 - 27 - Troy Spring and Lafayette Blue Spring, Branford, Florida
• November 8 -10 Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• December 7 - 8 - Rock Spring, Kelly Park, Apopka, Florida.

Sampling days for 2020:

• February 7 - 9 - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• CANCELLED March 21 - 22 - Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida
• CANCELLED March 22 - 25 - Rock/Wekiwa Springs, Apopka, Florida
• CANCELLED March 25 - 30 - Manatee, Fanning, & Troy Springs, Chiefland, Florida
• CANCELLED March 28 - 29 - Ichetucknee Springs Springs State Park, Hildreth, Florida
• CANCELLED May 15 - 17 - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• CANCELLED May 23 - 24 - Bull Creek, County Line on the Lake, Austin, Texas #WorldTurtleDay
• CANCELLED August 21 - 23 - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas
• CANCELLED October 23 - 25 - Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Jordan Gray: jgray@turtlesurvival.org