Lori Johnson has been surveying for wood turtles along one-kilometer stream segments and within nesting habitat throughout Massachusetts to gather data for a regional conservation planning effort from Maine to Virginia. Stream surveys follow a rapid assessment protocol designed by the Northeast Wood Turtle Working Group so that a standardized approach can be used to assess the status of populations from Maine to Virginia. So far this spring, Lori captured and marked 80 wood turtles across 17 sites throughout Massachusetts. Lori also obtained genetic samples from every individual, which will be used to help identify conservation priorities and protect genetic variation.
Lori Johnson is an ecologist at New England Environmental, Inc. and conducts turtle research for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Lori is a key ATO partner on regional wood turtle conservation planning, and leads a long-term study of common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) in Massachusetts.
5 Comments
Christina Pike
9/12/2019 09:14:35 am
Hello Lori,
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6/24/2021 05:00:10 pm
I have turtle egg laying activity in my sand pile. This is local sand about 40 feet from shoreline at Assonet Bay. In the past there have been white egg shell fragments near a hole that I think was dug by a fox, to get at the eggs. How can I protect the eggs from the foxes?
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Mike Jones
7/4/2021 06:32:55 pm
Hi John, apologies for the late response. If you have a moment, would you email me off-line? I'd like to put you in touch with turtle researchers working nearby. My email is: [email protected].
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4/30/2023 06:34:36 pm
Now wood turtles are listed as a species of Special Concern in Massachusetts and listed as endangered on the IUCN redlist.
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