BMRG joins forces with Turtle Survival Alliance, enhancing turtle conservation efforts in the Burnett Mary region.
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) has officially teamed up with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) in a landmark agreement, enhancing TSA’s conservation efforts in Australia.
"We are excited to partner with BMRG to expand our conservation efforts to Australia," said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President and CEO of TSA. "The Burnett Mary region's unique freshwater turtle species deserve the best conservation science and community engagement we can offer, and BMRG's regional expertise makes them the ideal partner for this important work."
This collaboration unites BMRG’s deep regional knowledge and stakeholder networks with TSA’s international leadership in freshwater turtle conservation, creating new momentum for protecting Australia’s iconic and threatened turtle species.
“This partnership is a major step forward, not just for the Burnett Mary region, but for turtle conservation across Australia,” said BMRG CEO Tom Espinoza. “It’s about combining world-class science with regional knowledge and place-based solutions.”
TSA, a globally respected non-profit based in South Carolina, USA, works to protect and restore populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles. They support initiatives in over 30 countries and directly support the conservation of 43 of the 66 most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles on the globe. Their mission aligns strongly with BMRG’s commitment to science-led, culturally respectful conservation that delivers measurable outcomes for biodiversity.
A Shared Vision for Endangered Species
The Burnett Mary region is home to several nationally significant and threatened turtle species, including the Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus) and White-throated Snapping Turtle (Elseya albagula). These species face pressures from habitat degradation, water regulation, and climate change.
Under the new partnership, BMRG and TSA will work together to:
- Design and deliver joint conservation and research projects
- Undertake genomic research to inform species recovery
- Support community-based habitat restoration
- Facilitate a national turtle conservation workshop
- Strengthen the use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in turtle conservation
International Collaboration in Action
To cement the partnership, BMRG CEO Tom Espinoza has been invited to speak at TSA’s 23rd Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the end of July.
“This is a chance to put the Burnett Mary region’s freshwater turtles on the global map, whilst also building and supporting Australian freshwater turtle conservation networks” Tom said. “We’re excited to contribute to global conversations while delivering real, on-the-ground outcomes at home.”
The partnership also reinforces BMRG’s role as a strategic connector in the natural capital space, embedding environmental accounting, Traditional Owner leadership, and regional resilience into all projects.
Stay tuned as we share more about upcoming joint projects and fieldwork opportunities.
More Information
🔗 Learn more about TSA: https://turtlesurvival.org
🔗 Read about BMRG’s biodiversity priorities: www.bmrg.org.au
Media Contact
For interviews or further information, please contact admin@bmrg.org.au