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Josh Rowell, USFWS, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, AL Gopher Tortoise Lead (candidate range)
Provided a brief overview of the Endangered Species Act, including a discussion of landowner roles to conserve federally listed species.  A portion of the talk addressed fears and concerns that landowners sometimes have when listed species occurs on their property.

Dr. Craig Guyer, Auburn University, Professor Emeritus
Reviewed the science of how and what constitutes a minimum viable population (MVP) (250 adult gopher tortoises on 100 ha of high quality habitat at a density of .40) for gopher tortoises and defines primary (250+ animals) and support (249-50 animals would be a support population and secondary support populations <50 animals would serve educational opportunities and could be considered for improvement) populations. Described a tool the USFWS will use to assess a species to determine a listing decision called the 3 R’s. 1) Representation – where it is important to have tortoises on the landscape (with some degree of persistence) and is measured at the species and, possibly, population level, 2) Redundancy – multiple populations per unit are needed to protect against unit-wide extirpation and is measured at the species level, lastly 3) Resiliency – large populations protect against extirpation by catastrophic events and is measured at the population level. In practice, the 3R’s are interrelated – resiliency supports redundancy, representation supports resiliency, etc.

Ericha Nix, ADCNR, DWFF, Nongame Wildlife Program, Gopher Tortoise State Lead, Certified Wildlife Biologist®
Described gopher tortoise conservation efforts throughout the candidate range focusing on AL efforts and current needs. The AL Conservation Department has contributed a great deal of funding and effort to conserve this species in AL with limited capacity as compared to other states. AL Public lands surveys, funded by the ADCNR, were completed in Oct. 2017. With over 95% of GT habitat is in private ownership, private lands surveys are desperately needed. Gopher Tortoise Conservation Units have developed and state population targets have been recommended. AL population target recommendations are the states starting goal as no guidance has been received from USFWS as to what AL population targets will be regarding the listing decision. AL stakeholders need to continue to: 1) identify, prioritize and protect viable populations, 2) create a state regulation to protect the burrow from “intentional” destruction, and 3) continue enhancing and creating tortoise habitat through applied management activities, land acquisitions, or incentives to landowners through creative and strategic partnerships. These mentioned actions will be vital to the listing decision in 2023.

Dr. Sharon Hermann, Auburn University, Biological Sciences, Professor
Reviewed definitions for MVP, primary populations and support populations. Described survey methodology and outcomes of Line Distance Transect Sampling the preferred survey method of USFWS. The amount (acres) of suitable soils and current habitat condition are the most important criteria to demine if LTDS is appropriate for the site.  Provided current population estimates for 8 public lands that warranted full surveys and six properties that were limited to pilot surveys due to little or moderate appropriate habitat. Only one known MVP occurs in AL at one Conecuh National Forest site. Though population densities are low on other surveyed public lands, all is not lost and conservation efforts should continue as these properties do have potential with increased habitat management activities (prescribed fire, timber stand thinning, etc.) and the consolidation of animals (within current properties) to meet the needed appropriate density for MVPs. 

Darren Miller, Weyerhaeuser Company, Science Advisor, Southern Timberlands Technology, Certified Wildlife Biologist®
Presented information about working forests on industrial private landowner properties. Thirty-nine million acres or 87% of forest resources are privately owned in the southeastern US.  Discussed the importance of collaboration opportunities with various partners (state and federal agencies) with research goals aimed to determine the ability of private managed forests to provide gopher tortoise conservation value as part of listing decision process.

Andrew Nix, ADCNR, DWFF, Registered Forester
A thought-provoking presentation that discussed perceived conservation challenges and viewing them as opportunities. Are there areas that large landowners currently have that would be more suitable and economical to manage differently; with the mindset of working to preclude the listing of the gopher tortoise? For instance, could a landowner designate 500-1,000 acres out of the tens of thousands of acres owned and managed those acres “differently” to support MVPs? Managed differently means, could the landowner carve out sufficient size areas of poor soils for loblolly, that are usually fertilized at least twice during a rotation length for loblolly, and convert to longleaf and manage for a saw timber rotation, which along with prescribed fire could create optimal habitat for gopher tortoise? Could these same areas also be managed with natural regeneration into the future, again cutting costs of site prep and artificial regeneration, while providing canopy and pine needles continuously to further the prescribed fire regime beneficial to gopher tortoise? Could these areas that are managed this way possibly demand a higher recreational lease rate than a loblolly plantation, due to improved forage and nesting for game species like deer and turkey, along with the gopher tortoise? Are there ways that State agencies, prescribed burn associations, and/or nonprofits can conduct the prescribed burn regime necessary to maintain optimal habitat?

Stakeholder Updates