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Kurt A. Buhlmann

Kurt Buhlmann Receives the 18th Annual
2023 Behler Turtle Conservation Award


Kurt A. Buhlmann

 

Kurt Buhlmann, 2023 Behler Turtle Conservation Award Honoree

Biographical Resumé

This year the 18th annual Behler Award celebrates and honors Kurt Buhlmann, a founding Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) member. Kurt worked with Conservation International (CI) and was the original Co-Chair with Rick Hudson when the TSA was an official Task Force of the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG), before becoming its own stand-alone NGO. He serves on the Executive Board of the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF). Kurt has a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia, M.S. in Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech, and B.S. in Environmental Studies from Stockton State College. He is currently a conservation ecologist and Senior Research Associate at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. His research interests include life history and evolutionary ecology with application for conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles. He has worked with Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), state natural heritage programs, Longleaf Alliance, and other non-profit, state, and federal agencies on habitat management projects for amphibians and reptiles, including use of prescribed fire and wetlands restoration. He has collaborated in international and national turtle conservation efforts, and along with his partner and colleague Dr. Tracey Tuberville, is actively focused on recovery, reintroduction, and head-starting projects for tortoises and freshwater turtles in North America. Kurt’s personal mission has been to conduct relevant conservation science, but more importantly, to apply it on the ground to benefit and improve conditions for specific, defined, populations of rare and threatened species. He is a well-respected leader in our global community and highly deserving of the Behler Turtle Conservation Award, and we are pleased to finally honor him at this time.