Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) CEO Tom Espinoza recently traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to participate in the Turtle Survival Alliance's (TSA) 23rd Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. Held from July 20–25, 2025, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, the event brought together conservationists, researchers, and experts from around the world to discuss strategies for protecting endangered turtle species.
This attendance builds directly on BMRG's new partnership with TSA, announced last month, which aims to enhance turtle conservation efforts in the Burnett Mary region and beyond. By combining BMRG's local expertise with TSA's global experience, the collaboration is set to advance science-based solutions for Australia's threatened freshwater turtles.
"We are excited to partner with BMRG to expand our conservation efforts in Australia and to team up to further protect the turtles of the Burnett and Mary rivers,” said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President and CEO of TSA. “BMRG's regional expertise makes them the ideal partner for this important work."
TSA, a non-profit based in South Carolina, USA, supports turtle conservation in more than 30 countries, working to protect well over 100 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles, including 43 of the 66 species featured in the recently published Turtles in Trouble: The World's Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. This aligns closely with BMRG’s commitment to science-led, culturally respectful approaches that deliver real biodiversity outcomes.
The Burnett Mary region hosts key threatened species like the Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus) and White-throated Snapping Turtle (Elseya albagula), which are impacted by habitat loss, water management issues, and climate change. Through the partnership, BMRG and TSA will collaborate on:
- Joint conservation and research projects
- Genomic research for species recovery
- Community-based habitat restoration
- A national turtle conservation workshop
- Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into conservation practices
At the symposium, Tom shared perspectives on the Burnett Mary region's turtles, contributing to global discussions while highlighting Australian innovations. "This was a great opportunity to tap into international approaches for conservation management of freshwater turtles," Tom reflected. He noted the strong networking value, which has opened pathways for better management of our local species. Australia was well represented, with a focus on creative solutions like citizen science and environmental markets.
The event, co-hosted by TSA and the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, featured sessions on research, collaboration, and awards recognising leaders in the field. For BMRG, it reinforced our role in connecting local action with international knowledge-sharing, embedding elements like environmental accounting and Traditional Owner leadership into our work.
As we move forward, this partnership will bring new projects and opportunities to the Burnett Mary region. Stay tuned for updates on joint initiatives and ways to get involved.
For more information:
🔗 Learn about TSA: https://turtlesurvival.org
🔗 Explore BMRG’s biodiversity priorities: www.bmrg.org.au
Media Contact: For interviews or further details, email admin@bmrg.org.au.