Turtle and Tortoise Conservation

The World's Chelonians Need Help

The world is home to about two hundred and ninety different species of turtle and tortoise but they are disappearing from the wild at an ever increasing pace.

The major causes of these declines are anthropogenic (i.e. man made), and include habitat loss and degradation due to human encroachment, incidental take, deliberate take of species for the food and pet trade.  Now global climate change is adding insult to injury.

California Turtle and Tortoise Club has been active in promoting conservation of chelonians (turtles and tortoises) since it was founded in 1964.  This page provides links to articles on CTTC's ongoing and historic conservation efforts and issues of concern.

Michael J. Connor
Chair
CTTC Executive Board

Desert Tortoises

DESERT TORTOISE RECOVERY

	08/13/09: BLM Extends Comment Period on the Fort Irwin Tortoise Translocation EA until August 31.
	08/06/09 - Conservation groups request that BLM extend the comment period for the Draft EA for Fort Irvin Desert Tortoise Translocation by 60 days.
	07/31/09 - BLM Announces release of the Draft EA for Fort Irvin Desert Tortoise Translocation with only a 15 day comment period.
	05-21-09 - USGS Releases its Desert Tortoise Habitat Model
	11-03-08 - WWP/CTTC Comments on the Comments on the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Mojave Population of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
	10-29-08 - Send Comments on the Draft Revised Mojave Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan
	10-09-08 - Petition filed to list the Sonoran desert tortoise under the Endangered Species Act - Press Release - Petition
	USFWS Unveils "Draft Revised Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan" - August 1, 20008 Press Release - Direct link to Revised Plan (7.35 MB)

DESERT ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Federal and state agencies are reviewing proposals for massive solar and wind power plants all over the Mojave Desert. Called "renewable" energy projects and thus "green", these projects threaten permanent large scale destruction of hundreds of thousands of acres of key desert habitat including that occupied by desert tortoise and other imperiled animals and plants. These projects are not "green" but "green-washed".

	Alliance for Responsible Energy Policy
	BLM California Desert District Alternative Energy page
	STOP Green Path North
	California Desert Coalition
	Sunrise Powerlink
	CEC - Large Solar Projects
	Go Solar - Build Your Home Plant

	Reopening of Vehicle Routes in Western Rand Mountains Appealed to Protect Desert Tortoises
	Fort Irwin Suspends Desert Tortoise Translocation 10-09-08
	Proposed Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base (MCAGCC) Expansion 9/15/08 (pdf)
	CBD Files Lawsuit To "Stop Disastrous Army Relocation Project From Killing More Desert Tortoises" (of site)
	Western Watersheds Project letter to USFWS on the Fort Irwin Tortoise Translocation 5/20/08 (pdf)
	Relocated desert tortoises attacked by coyotes
	Desert Tortoise translocation may cause more harm than good
	Comments on the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan "Stakeholders Review Draft" from Western Watersheds Project (pdf)
	Revising the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan - "USFWS - Stakeholders Review Draft" (large pdf)
	Federal Judge Stays Plan to Increase Cattle in Desert Tortoise Habitat at Ord Mountain, California
	USFWS Final EA On Raven Management (external link)
	BLM Proposes 10 Year Renewal Of Sheep Grazing in Desert Tortoise Habitat - CBD/WWP/CTTC Comments
	Conservation Groups File Suit to Overturn NECO and West Mojave Plans 8/14/06
	West Mojave Plan Record Of Decision Signed
	West Mojave Plan Biological Opinion Released
	Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Plan
	Proposed Fort Irwin, National Training Center Expansion
	Western Rand Mountains ACEC Vehicle Closure
	Desert Planning Efforts - West Mojave Plan
	Desert Tortoise Status and Critical Habitat
	Compensation for the Desert Tortoise - Management Oversight Group - 1991

Join the Tortoise Consortium list for updates on desert tortoise conservation.

Western Pond Turtles

	February 7, 2008: Good news for San Onofre State Park - the California Coastal Commission voted to deny the permit to build a toll road through the state park.
	San Onofre State Park Threatened by 6 Lane Toll Road. The Toll Road will disrupt San Mateo Creek, Home to One of Orange County's Last Populations of the Western Pond turtle.
	Western Pond Turtle habitat in Southern California.