CURRENT NEWS
FWC RECIEVES WARNING FROM BIOLOGISTS ABOUT DROPPING THE BALL ON GOPHER TORTOISE RELOCATION PLANNING
FWC staff has fallen far short on creating anything but permits and gathering funds from relocation. They still do not require certification of FWC staff evaluating and overseeing relocation sites nor are the managers of these sites require any experience or certification.There are no good measurable methods being used to evaluate the quality of the sites and, current restrictions on the types and sizes of relocation sites will cause reall shortages in space to place tortoises when the economy and development picks up again. Go to information on TORTOISE RELOCATION.
ASHTON IS A CERTIFIED AGENT
Ray Ashton is a certified agent which allows him to conduct tortoise surveys, backhoe excavations, burrow surveys, can trap, and other activites including teaching courses to people who are seeking certification. Contact Tortfarm2@aol.com for more information.
Professional Training Courses
Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Training
Register Now to meet NEW FWC requirements for Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agents
 COURSE INFORMATION
Detailed course information and information on the requirements for FWC Certification are in the Professional Training Courses section of the web page. Click on this section title on the left column. REGISTRATION IS BEING HANDLED AT THE WILDLANDS CONSERVATION OFFICE. You can complete the registration form from the ABRPI web page but you must follow the instructions on where to send it. Or, you can click on to the WILDLANDS LINK: www.gophertortoisetraining.org and complete the form there.
QUESTIONS
All questions related to registration, payments, logistics and similar details should be directed to the Wildlands Conservation office.
Questions related to course content, examinations, mentoring, or field examinations should be directed to Ray Ashton at Tortfarm2@aol.com
ON-SITE EVALUATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION FOR EXCAVATION OF TORTOISES AND 100% SURVEYS.
ABRPI IS OFFERING ON-SITE EVALUATIONS OF BURROW EXCAVATION, TORTOISE HANDLING, AND 100% SURVEYS.
Individuals that have had experience but not enough to qualify for certification should consider this service. Ray Ashton will come to your site or will work with you company to set up a dig that will allow him to review you or individuals from your staff on proper methods of managing and carry out backhoe excavations. He can also come to and evaluate project managers that are undertaking 100% surveys. If you pass the evaluation he will provide you and FWC with a letter recommending that you be certified for these areas. Go to the Field Evaluation Page for details of the testing process and how to schedule a site evaluation.
 Offering the Highest Quality Training For Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agents
Our goal is to fully meet the highest quality possible the needs of staff involved in all aspects of gopher tortoise relocation and management. Our courses are built on years of experience in working with professionals and community stakeholders. We are proud to have Pat and Ray Ashton, renowned gopher tortoise experts, teachers, and authors developing the courses which lead to certification.
Ashton Biodiversity Research & Preservation Institute, Inc (ABRPI) has a long history of providing training programs on gopher tortoise relocation and management activities. We recently received approval from FWC to offer certification programs that meet the new Gopher Tortoise Management Plan Guidelines, and draft Training Parameters. We have created an expanded curriculum and a new series of training programs for certification to meet the specific needs of these requirements. ABRPI has teamed with Wildlands Conservation, Inc, a non-profit organization with tremendous experience in management of conservation lands and environmental education, to offer programs around the state with numerous actual preserve sites available for field experiences.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Requirements
The gopher tortoise was officially upgraded to Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWC is requiring that any individual working with the relocation and management of the gopher tortoise satisfy certain requirements; they are to be certified as Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agents. The use of Authorized Agents for gopher tortoise permit activities will be required by the Spring of 2009. FWC encourages all affected to please apply as soon as possible so that you are permitted before the use of authorized agents is required. Please read the requirements to become an authorized agent, to determine if you need to take our courses for certification.
Make a difference: Contribute to Ashton Biodiversity Research and Preservation Institute, Inc. through Paypal. Click here:
BECOME A MEMBER
We need your support more than ever. We are traveling and talking with counties, landowners, and others to help develop a wise and successful conservation program throughout the state. Thank you for your continued support.
14260 W. Newberry Rd. # 331
Newberry, FL 32669
Phone: 352-495-7449
Fax: 352-495-7433
E-mail: Tortfarm2@aol.com |
