2023 North American Box Turtle Conservation Workshop
Join us September 29- October 1!
The North American Box Turtle Conservation Committee is pleased to announce the 2023 North American Box Turtle Conservation Workshop, to be held September 29 through October 1, 2023 at the Elachee Nature Science Center, Gainesville, Georgia, in coordination with the University of North Georgia.
Dave Collins will provide the keynote address focusing on Terrapene under the new Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. David Collins is the Director of North American Turtle Conservation with the Turtle Survival Alliance, and the Leader of the American Turtles Program for SAFE.
The workshop invites papers and posters on Terrapene population trends, ecology, life history strategies, epidemiology, systematics, and land management, among other topics.
Dave Collins will provide the keynote address focusing on Terrapene under the new Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. David Collins is the Director of North American Turtle Conservation with the Turtle Survival Alliance, and the Leader of the American Turtles Program for SAFE.
The workshop invites papers and posters on Terrapene population trends, ecology, life history strategies, epidemiology, systematics, and land management, among other topics.
Location
Elachee Nature Center
2125 Elachee Drive
Gainesville, GA 30504
2125 Elachee Drive
Gainesville, GA 30504
Date & Time
September 29, 2023 - 2:00 PM - October 1, 2023 - 1:00 PM
Friday Schedule
2:00 - 9:00PM
Registration
Registration begins at the Elachee Nature Center.
Feel free to enjoy the outdoor trails and begin submitting items for the Lucille F. Stickel auction.
Feel free to enjoy the outdoor trails and begin submitting items for the Lucille F. Stickel auction.
5:00 - 9:00PM
Evening Social
Registration continues at the Elachee Nature Center. Appetizers and drinks will be available for evening socializing. Participants are welcome to hang out on the patio and explore the animal room at Elachee Nature Center.
5:00 - 9:00PM
Donations for Silent Auction benefitting Lucille F. Stickel Fund
In honor of the life and work of Lucille F. Stickel, the North American Box Turtle Conservation Committee has established the Lucille F. Stickel Box Turtle Research Award. This award supports conservation projects and research on North American Box Turtles in the following categories: natural history, ecology, conservation, reproduction, and epidemiology.
Donations are accepted to be auctioned off in a silent auction on Saturday. All proceeds go to the Lucille F. Stickel fund. Cash & checks will be accepted for winning bids.
More information provided HERE!
Donations are accepted to be auctioned off in a silent auction on Saturday. All proceeds go to the Lucille F. Stickel fund. Cash & checks will be accepted for winning bids.
More information provided HERE!
Saturday Schedule
8:00 AM
Registration & Auction Submissions
Attendees are invited to check in, socialize, and begin surveying the silent auction items.
9:00 AM
Opening Address by John Groves
Welcoming comments and keynote speaker introduction.
9:15 AM
Keynote Address by Dave Collins
Dave Collins will provide the keynote address focusing on Terrapene under the new Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. David Collins is the Director of North American Turtle Conservation with the Turtle Survival Alliance, and the Leader of the American Turtles Program for SAFE.
10:00 AM
Morning Break
Snacks and beverages will be available. Please submit bids for the silent auction items.
10:30 AM
Morning Session
Conference Talks
12:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch will be provided.
1:00 PM
Afternoon Session #1
Conference Talks
2:15 - 2:30 PM
Afternoon Break
Snacks and beverages will be available. Please submit bids for the silent auction items.
2:30 PM
Afternoon Session #2
Conference Talks
4:30 PM
Silent Auction Awards
Please check your bids to see if you won!
5:00-9:00 PM
Evening social and Poster Session at Liquid Nation Brewery
The poster session will take place at Liquid Nation Brewing, a family-friendly, local microbrewery, where, in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance, we will host a Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®️ event. Join us for an evening of education and socializing!
Sunday Schedule
9:00AM - 1:00PM
Exploration and Informative sessions at UNG - Tumbling Creek
Attendees are invited to explore the Tumbling Creek Woods at the University of North Georgia. Radiotelemetry techniques will be demonstrated and a workshop will be offered on how to build GPS dataloggers. Lunch will be provided.
Join us on September 29, 2023
We look forward to seeing you!
Deadline for Conference Registration is September 15th, 2023.
Interested in Presenting? Instructions are found below.
Venue maps and lodging information also found below.
Abstracts are Due June 19th, 2023
Conference Location
Friday & Saturday
Friday & Saturday
Elachee Nature Center
2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504
2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504
Events on Friday and Saturday morning and afternoon will take place at the Elachee Nature Center. Take 985 to Exit 17 and take Atlanta Highway toward Gainesville. The entrance to Elachee Nature Center will be on the right past the golf course.
Elachee Nature Center Website
Elachee Nature Center Website
Saturday Evening Social and Poster Session
Liquid Nation Brewing
2100 Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30504
2100 Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30504
Please join us at Liquid Nation Brewing for our evening social and the poster session. The poster session will take place at Liquid Nation Brewing, a family-friendly, local microbrewery, where, in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance, we will host a Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®️ event. Children and minors are welcome, as long as they are accompanied by their parents. The brewery is dog friendly as long as dogs are leashed and well behaved. They do not serve food, however you are welcome to bring food in, have food delivered or you may be able to enjoy food trucks in the parking lot. The brewery allows non-alcoholic beverages to be brought in, however alcoholic beverages not manufactured by Liquid Nation Brewing are not allowed into the brewery or anywhere on the surrounding brewery premises. Please review their website for additional details.
The brewery is conveniently located right across the street from the Elachee Nature Center entrance!
Liquid Nation Brewing Website
Drink Beer. Save Turtles. ®
The brewery is conveniently located right across the street from the Elachee Nature Center entrance!
Liquid Nation Brewing Website
Drink Beer. Save Turtles. ®
Sunday Activities
University of North Georgia, Gainesville campus
3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA 30566
3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA 30566
Participants are invited to the University of North Georgia (UNG) campus to observe Eastern Box Turtles that are part of an ongoing research effort, and learn how to construct GPS data loggers that can be attached to turtle shells. Lunch will be provided.
The UNG campus is located just off Exit 17 of 985, just a short distance from the entrance to Elachee Nature Center. We will meet by the Facilities (#8 on the campus map) and University Police buildings (#14 on the campus map) at the back of campus by the greenhouse.
UNG Campus Map
The UNG campus is located just off Exit 17 of 985, just a short distance from the entrance to Elachee Nature Center. We will meet by the Facilities (#8 on the campus map) and University Police buildings (#14 on the campus map) at the back of campus by the greenhouse.
UNG Campus Map
Hotel:
Best Western Plus Lake Lanier Gainesville Hotel & Suites
4535 Oakwood Road, Oakwood, GA 30566
770-535-8080
Best Western Plus Lake Lanier Gainesville Hotel & Suites
4535 Oakwood Road, Oakwood, GA 30566
770-535-8080
Camping:
Old Federal Camping
Address: 6219 Old Federal Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Phone: (770) 967-6757
Old Federal Campground lies on the eastern banks of Lake Sidney Lanier in Northern Georgia. Location includes RV camping, tent camping with electric, and tent camping without electric. Rates $30-36.
Old Federal Campground Website
Old Federal Campground Website
Workshop support provided by:
Aida Alarcon, Eye Like Turtles, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 4ft x 2.5ft
The North American Box Turtle Conservation Committee
Mission
The North American Box Turtle Conservation Committee promotes research and education which contributes to the health and survival of wild box turtle populations. To support this goal, the Committee funds the Lucille Stickel Research Award and sponsors box turtle conservation workshops.
Committee Members
Sandra Barnett, New Mexico Herpetological Society
Dr. José Castañeda Gamaliel Gaytán, University of Juarez of the State of Durango, Mexico
John Groves, Curator Emeritus, North Carolina Zoological Park
Ann Berry Somers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Dr. Matt Allender, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
Mission
The North American Box Turtle Conservation Committee promotes research and education which contributes to the health and survival of wild box turtle populations. To support this goal, the Committee funds the Lucille Stickel Research Award and sponsors box turtle conservation workshops.
Committee Members
Sandra Barnett, New Mexico Herpetological Society
Dr. José Castañeda Gamaliel Gaytán, University of Juarez of the State of Durango, Mexico
John Groves, Curator Emeritus, North Carolina Zoological Park
Ann Berry Somers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Dr. Matt Allender, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
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