Gopher Tortoise Council

09/30/2026

FINAL REMINDER FOR ANNUAL MEETING DEADLINES! 🗓️

🐧 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 5th.
📊Abstracts are due by October 5th.
🛌The hotel room block ends on October 6.

We look forward to seeing you all at The Lodge at Gulf State Park on November 6-8, 2026!

**REMINDER** 🎗
Registration and call for abstracts upcoming deadlines below. 👇

The 48th Annual Meeting of the Gopher Tortoise Council will be held at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, November 6–8, 2026.

Key deadlines:
🐦 Early bird registration until October 1
📊 Abstracts for oral and poster presentations can be submitted until October 5
🛏 Hotel room block reservation until October 6
⏱ Registration closes October 23

The meeting will include the Special Session "The Benefits and Disadvantages of Using Conservation Easements to Achieve Conservation Successes."

🔗 More information and links to register, submit and book are on our website: https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/annual-meeting
🐢🐍💚

09/25/2026

The meeting is virtual and the public is welcome to attend. The TEAMS link is included in the article.

A meeting of the Gopher Tortoise Technical Assistance Group will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 ...

09/18/2026

**REMINDER** 🎗
Registration and call for abstracts upcoming deadlines below. 👇

The 48th Annual Meeting of the Gopher Tortoise Council will be held at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, November 6–8, 2026.

Key deadlines:
🐦 Early bird registration until October 1
📊 Abstracts for oral and poster presentations can be submitted until October 5
🛏 Hotel room block reservation until October 6
⏱ Registration closes October 23

The meeting will include the Special Session "The Benefits and Disadvantages of Using Conservation Easements to Achieve Conservation Successes."

🔗 More information and links to register, submit and book are on our website: https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/annual-meeting
🐢🐍💚

09/15/2026

Residents are worried about the deaths of gopher tortoises at a preserve in The Villages.

09/13/2026

Awesome intern projects from this summer! Way to go Ella and Riley!

09/10/2026

The latest issue of The Tortoise Burrow is now available for your reading pleasure!

https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/gtc-newsletter/61-volume-46-number-2

08/28/2026

***GTC is accepting nominations for the annual service awards to recognize outstanding service and contributions to the Council and to conservation of tortoises and upland habitats. Submit your nomination online for one or more of the following awards online. All nominations must be submitted by 10/1/2026.***
https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/who-we-are/awards

🐢🦸Gopher Tortoise Council's Auffenberg and Franz Conservation Award – Presented to individuals with lifetime accomplishments, and organizations with long-term efforts in conserving gopher tortoises and upland ecosystems.
🐍🎖Gopher Tortoise Council's Lifetime Service Award – Presented to individuals whose have devoted a lifetime to service of the Council.
🐸💯Gopher Tortoise Council's Distinguished Service Award – Presented to those who have consistently offered years of service to the Council.
🦎🧰Gopher Tortoise Council's Special Project(s) Award – Presented to individuals who have taken the lead or played a major role in special GTC projects.
🪲🎒Gopher Tortoise Council's Conservation Education Award – Presented to individuals who have contributed to significant education and outreach activities relevant to conservation of tortoises and upland habitats.

Awards will be announced at the GTC annual meeting in November.

08/24/2026

The Donna J. Heinrich Environmental Education Grant was established to support educators and organizations committed to developing educational projects about the gopher tortoise and the fascinating world in which it lives.

Grant proposals will be accepted until September 30, 2026. Visit the link below for eligibility, reporting requirements, application guidelines and format. Grant recipients will be announced at the annual Gopher Tortoise Council meeting in November, with the funds disbursed in March 2027.

https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/who-we-are/grant-programs/31-the-j-larry-landers-student-research-grant-2

08/19/2026

MERCH ALERT! 🐢💚
Gopher Tortoise Council merch is now available for purchase! Shirts, hats, mugs and totes feature this year's Annual Meeting logo. Order from the Bonfire website for delivery right to your door! You don't have to attend the meeting to purchase the items - anyone can sport this year's logo on their favorite item! All proceeds help fund our annual grants programs and gopher tortoise conservation.
https://www.bonfire.com/store/2026-gopher-tortoise-council/