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

• Save the date for the 48th annual GTC Meeting
• Become a GTC member
• Support gopher tortoise conservation with the gopher tortoise license plate

Save the Date for the 48th Annual Meeting of the Gopher Tortoise Council

GTC's 48th annual meeting brings us back to Alabama's Gulf State Park. The meeting will be held November 6-8, 2026. Keep an eye on our website for details on lodging and registration in the coming months. We look forward to seeing you there!

Support GTC by Becoming a Member or Renewing Your Annual Membership

With Gopher Tortoise Day behind us, celebrate gopher tortoises all year long and consider joining the Gopher Tortoise Council by purchasing a membership or renewing your annual membership.  Membership revenue helps to fund gopher tortoise conservation programs and provide grants for student research and educational programs across the southeast. 

Benefits include a subscription to the Gopher Tortoise Council's newsletter, "The Tortoise Burrow."

The Gopher Tortoise Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and tax-exempt organization (ID #59-2010727) and all contributions are tax deductible.

Membership Options:

$15 Student Membership

$25 Regular Membership

$40 Contributor Membership

$50 Society/Corporate Membership

$75 Sustaining Membership

$300 Lifetime Membership

Please visit our website (https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/support) for more information.

Ride in style and support conservation with the new Protect the Gopher Tortoise License Plate!

Hooray! 🐢📣 The time has finally come! Protect the Gopher Tortoise license plates are now available at tax collectors’ offices and tag agencies throughout Florida. We recommend calling your tax collector’s office or tag agency in advance of visiting in person to ensure that they have plates in stock.

Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions about the plate to learn how you can redeem your voucher and receive your plate!

In order to bring awareness to the plight of the gopher tortoise, Wildlands Conservation has created this specialty license plate and will use the generated funds for gopher tortoise habitat conservation, habitat management, education, and research. With your help, we can help protect gopher tortoises and their upland habitat! If you hold a valid Florida Driver’s License or have a Florida-registered vehicle, you are eligible to purchase vouchers for your car, truck, trailer, and RV! Plates can be purchased at any time–you do not need to wait until your registration renewal date to order one.