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WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AND THEIR TORTOISES
The Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative (GTCI) has been working with Sugar Mill Woods residents for more than 5 years on protecting tortoises in their community. We trained citizens on how to can trap and relocate tortoises from properties that were going to be developed. Instead of having the tortoises entombed by builders that ignored the 5 tortoises or fewer permits, the trained volunteers, under our FWC permit, trap and move the tortoises to the community Green Spaces.
Don Pedro Island
Don Pedro Island is located near Venice, Florida. Many of the residents are concerned about their local wildlife and native plants. They contacted GTCI to have workshops on how to become tortoise friendly and develop a plan to protect the tortoises, particularly on properties, as they are being cleared and developed. After two years and two workshops, the group is still waiting for a permit to handle the relocation of tortoises from development sites (like Sugarmill). There are about 1000 tortoises on the island and builders that choose to ignore the FWC requirements for relocating the tortoises out of harm’s way are impacting them. Great strides have been made with the County and FWC enforcement attending the last workshops. A plan was designed to positively encourage compliance with tortoise rules until the group can work under permit to relocate the tortoises out of harm’s way. They Don Pedro residents have already worked on ways to make their yards tortoise friendly and to put signs to warn drivers that tortoises seem to use the roads about as much as the people. GTCI is now looking out how to sustain the population after build out, something many island forks have had to deal with.
Cedar Key
GTCI is working with Cedar Key residents starting with a workshop before Earth day to talk about how to protect their remaining tortoises and other wildlife. The Native Plant Society and other conservation-oriented groups are getting together to develop a plan to protect the nature that brings tourist to the island. With new growth, it is becoming obvious that the community needs to develop a plan to protect the very things that attract folks besides seafood and shopping.
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