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How Can I Help?

The Gopher Tortoise Organization needs your help, The gopher tortoise is one of Florida's most unique protected species. Working together we can save Florida's gopher tortoises both locally and statewide!

Gopher tortoises choose their homesites carefully,  they prefer well drained sandy soils with partial shade for their burrows. Many areas in Florida are prime habitat for gopher tortoises and these areas coincidentally are where we as humans want to build our houses. This competition for Florida's prime real estate is almost always won by us humans!

It is against the law to posses, harm, kill, or sell a protected species. The gopher tortoise being one of those protected species, is fortunate to have a program that provides legal options for the safe relocation of affected tortoises on development sites, relocation options usually have little impact on development costs and schedules when addressed early in the project planning stages.

It is actually quite easy for you to help us protect the gopher tortoises living locally. Here is a simple ist of things that you can do to help us preserve these unique and special animals now and for future generations to enjoy!

  1. Learn more about gopher tortoises and tortoise habitat so you can teach family, friends and neighbors about the gopher tortoise and it's protected status.
     
  2. Discourage family, friends and neighbors from taking tortoises or moving them to new homes. Although a person might feel he is doing the best thing by rescuing a tortoise from a bad situation, there are many reasons why it is not a good practice.
     

  3. Any tortoise problems can be referred to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission for resolution. 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) toll free, 24 hours everyday!
     
  4. Be an informed, educated voter. Support city, county and state officials who value our natural resources as much as they value economic growth. With forward thinking and good planning, it is possible to have both.
     
  5. Last of all Get Involved! Join organizations that share your conservation values and concerns! Volunteer your time and/or give financial support to the organizations that you are in harmony with!

Below is a specific list of things you can do in your neighborhood

  1. Identify the locations of the tortoises and tortoise burrows in your neighborhood. If you choose to post a sign or use marking flags be careful not to trespass or litter.
     

  2. If tortoises or burrows are in danger from development, document the tortoise/burrow locations with pictures or video and contact the builder or developer, let them know that the site has protected species on it that you are concerned about and that you have documented the presence with pictures or video. It is a good idea to keep a simple record of the time/date and person/s that you speak with.
     

  3. If tortoises or burrows are in immediate danger of site clearing, let the site clearing contractor know that the site has protected species on it, and that you have taken pictures or video documenting them. Do not get confrontational and stay a safe distance away from machinery!  Additional pictures, video and notes will be helpful to aid any Law Enforcement Investigation. Call the Florida Wildlife Law Enforcement Hot-Line at: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) and report the details to the operator, before hanging up request your complaint reference number for future follow-up.

Here is the link to printable signs and marking flags that may help you!

 

 

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