About the Turtle Conservation Fund
The Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF), established in 2002 as a partnership initiative of Conservation International, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, and IUCN/SSC Turtle Survival Alliance, and subsequently joined in partnership in 2007 by the Shellshock Campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, administers a turtle conservation and research grants program. Awards are granted to organizations or individuals for specific conservation or research projects dealing with highly endangered tortoises or freshwater turtles, but not marine turtles, with either partial or full support as funding allows. Please visit the TCF Grants page for details regarding application instructions and a listing of funded projects.
Several TCF Alliance Partners have also contributed to global turtle conservation efforts, either directly through TCF with various levels of support, or through their own independent conservation programs for turtles developed or supported in some measure in partial collaboration or consulation with TCF’s prioritizing and funding mechanisms. The efforts of TCF have benefitted greatly from the collaborative and cooperative approach of these turtle-focused conservation organizations.
The TCF is managed by its Executive Board, which is composed of the following individuals:
Hugh R. Quinn, Co-Chair
Retired, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Former Chair, AZA Chelonian Advisory Group
Anders G.J. Rhodin, Co-Chair
Director, Chelonian Research Foundation
Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Russell A. Mittermeier
President, Conservation International
Executive Committee, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Rick Hudson
Fort Worth Zoo
Co-Chair, IUCN/SSC Turtle Survival Alliance
Kurt A. Buhlmann
University of Georgia
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Peter C.H. Pritchard
President, Chelonian Research Institute
Executive Committee, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Walter C. Sedgwick
Island Foundation
GG Wade Trust
Chris B. Banks
Melbourne Zoo
Hans-Dieter Philippen
IUCN/SSC Turtle Survival Alliance / TSA Europe
Kevin R. Buley
Director, EAZA Shellshock Campaign
Chester Zoo
Peter Paul van Dijk
Director, Turtle Program, Conservation International
Deputy Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Douglas B. Hendrie
Asian Turtle Conservation Network
Eric Goode
President, Behler Chelonian Center
Colin Poole
Director, Asia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society