Eastern Box Turtle Adult Program

Presented by Brian Butler, Oxbow Associates

Brian is president and lead scientist for Oxbow Associates, an Environmental Consulting Firm frequently involved with field studies of Eastern Box Turtles in the SouthCoast Region and elsewhere in New England. Box Turtles are a uniquely North American species group and Massachusetts is the current northern limit of their range. Their life history traits make them  interesting and difficult to study as well as a challenge for their conservation at the extreme of their geographical range. Brian will discuss the life history of box turtles and how they fit into the SouthCoast ecozone and why they sometimes persist in a fragile balance. Topics to be discussed include field methods for studying box turtles, regulations and politics, and status and conservation of Eastern Box Turtles. We will be taking a walk to locate areas that might be attractive to turtles for feeding and nesting. Due to COVID restrictions this
program is limited to a small number of participants so please register early. Masks and social distancing will be required and practiced.