Project Bog Turtle: a private sector conservation effort

In the Southeastern United States bog turtles have a very habitat specific limited range and the wetlands they inhabit are small and widely scattered. The estimated total population is believed to be between 4,000 and 6,000 individuals. This compares to a total population of 10,000 to 13,000 in the Northeast (MD to New England). The southern populations are mostly in the Appalachians where they are restricted to only about 100 active sites. The species is protected throughout its total range by state agencies and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Project Bog Turtle is an independent private sector all-volunteer conservation initiative that officially started in 1995, through a number of its members were working on various aspects regarding the conservation of the species in the Southeast for several decades prior to this (see History link), and long before many agencies recognized the conservation concerns for the turtle and its fragmented wetland habitats. Through the North Carolina Herpetological Society they have received funding from agencies and private donations. The group is effective because they work well with private landowners who are often unwilling to cooperate directly with government agencies. Approximately 75% of all Southeastern bog turtle sites are on private lands.

Inventory of both historic and currently occupied sites and of individual inhabitation of these sites has been one of the major activities of Project Bog Turtle. As recently as last year two new sites were discovered. Of the 179 individual turtles found last year 156 of them had been found and marked in previous seasons. Field work indicates the following estimated turtle populations in currently occupied sites: GA, ~100; NC, 2,000-3,000; SC, <50; TN, ~150; and VA, 2,000-3,000.

Project Bog Turtle initiated a conservation lease program that allows private landowners to retain ownership of their property and encourages them to protect the wetlands on which the turtles depend. The leases off set land taxes and any profit the owners could make if they converted the site to some economic use. Moderate grazing and other traditional practices actually are of benefit to the turtles and are encouraged. Funds to pay for the leased land come from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and private donations. Through this program many landowners have become interested in the long-term interest of the bog turtle sites and their neighbors are often encouraged to take part. In the process many communities have become local watchdogs for the sites. Nearly 400 acres of wetland habitat and buffer were leased at the end of the 2003 season, but less than 52 key acres in NC and TN are currently leased in the program.

Site management is necessary in many of the wetlands, particularly ones where grazing is no longer in practice. Woody plants quickly invade sites and the succession, while natural, quickly converts active bog turtle sites to ones of minimal importance. Every year, scores of volunteers work on the restoration and management of sites removing red maples, alders, multiflora rose, swamp rose, various other invasive species and trash.

Captive breeding, protection of eggs in natural sites, and head-starting are all tools that are being used in the Southeast to enhance depleted populations. Members of Project Bog Turtle have successful captive breeding programs established in TN, NC, and GA.

Several years ago volunteers started PIT tagging wild caught turtles, recording relevant data, and releasing the turtles. This provides a more efficient method of recognizing animals illegally collected, as well as tracking the growth and movements of these long-lived turtles. This is an ongoing effort but to date over 300 individuals have been implanted.

Project Bog Turtle works closely with the respective state agencies, US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, The Tortoise Reserve, and local land conservancies. Their primary strength however, is the fact that they work closely with private land owners.  As an all volunteer, private sector organization they provide a key role in the linking family based land management with appropriate agency based conservation efforts.