Keep reading for the latest news and announcements from the Gopher Tortoise Council

Updated Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines for Florida

On November 30, 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff's recommendation to update the state's Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines. The goal of the update is to better protect gopher tortoises by incentivizing relocations to protected recipient sites, clearly defining roles and responsibilities in the relocation process, and clarifying other provisions in the guidelines. The permitting guidelines support the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan, which was created by the FWC with the ultimate goal of restoring and maintaining secure, viable populations of gopher tortoises throughout Florida, so the species no longer warrants state listing. The revised guidelines will go into effect April 2023.

J. Larry Landers Student Research Grant 

The deadline for applications for the J. Larry Landers Student Research Award is February 3, 2023. Details on award eligiblility, reporting requirements, and application guidelines can be found on the GTC website. Applications and any questions about the award should be sent to Betsie Rothermel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gopher Tortoise Day Grant

Gopher Tortoise Day Grant proposals are due February 1, 2023. This grant was established to support educators and organizations that would like to develop a program or need funds to participate in Gopher Tortoise Day. Although Gopher Tortoise Day typically falls on April 10th, GTC is encouraging participants to celebrate on a different date this year due to the overlap with Eastern Monday. Grant applications are available on the GTC website. Applications and any questions about this grant should be sent to Rachael Sulkers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2023 Annual SEPARC Meeting

For any interested GTC members - the 2023 Annual SEPARC Meeting will be held February 23-26, 2023 at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Information on meeting participation can be found on SEPARC's website.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Supports Multi-State Conservation Efforts in the Gopher Tortoise's Range

In 2022, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded an America the Beautiful Challenge Grant to the project "Enhancing Fire-Dependent Plant Communities in the East Gulf Coastal Plain Habitats of MS, LA, and AL". Through partnerships among Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) as well as private industry and the public, stakeholders aim to improve resilience of 90,000 acres of fire-dependent habitats including piney woods, blackland prairie, loess bluffs, and seepage bog ecosystems through restoration, habitat management, invasive plant species control, revegetation, cost-sharing, outreach and training