Turtle‍ Conservancy Board Chair Receives Lifetime Achievement⁢ Award

Anders Rhodin, Chair of the Turtle Conservancy Board, was recently⁣ honored with‌ the Worldwide Sea Turtle Society Lifetime⁢ Achievement⁢ Award. This prestigious ​award ⁤recognizes‍ individuals ‌who have made significant ‍contributions to sea turtle biology and conservation throughout their career.

Rhodin joins the ranks of esteemed ​sea turtle ‍experts ⁣such as Archie Carr and Peter​ Pritchard,​ previous recipients of the award. In his acceptance speech, Rhodin ⁢reflects on the decades ​of partnerships, projects, and dedication that ⁣led to this recognition:

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award and will be attending the⁣ sea turtle symposium in Thailand to accept it. This moment reminds me of the people who have‌ inspired⁤ me⁤ in my turtle research ​and conservation efforts.”

His journey began with Russ Mittermeier, his oldest and closest turtle friend⁤ and colleague, dating back to their⁣ undergraduate days at Dartmouth. Together, they traveled‌ through the Amazon in 1971. Rhodin also credits ⁣Peter Pritchard and John Behler, ‌with ‌whom he launched the journal ⁤Chelonian Conservation and Biology while‌ they were ‍leading the IUCN ​Tortoise‍ and Freshwater Turtle Specialist ⁢Group.‌ They inspired and mentored⁢ him to become more than just an orthopedic surgeon.

Later, Rick Hudson stepped up as the Asian⁣ Turtle Crisis emerged as ‍a major threat to freshwater turtles and tortoises. He helped create and lead ⁢the Turtle Survival Alliance. Then, ​Eric Goode brought his considerable personal resources to make a difference for turtles globally and establish the Turtle Conservancy. Rhodin ⁣acknowledges these inspirational leaders and many others who have contributed to the research, organizations, ⁣and funding that have helped‌ achieve their goals.

Rhodin joined the Turtle ⁤Conservancy Board of Directors⁤ in 2006, replacing founding member John Behler, his ⁣close friend⁤ and conservation mentor, after his passing. In ‍2016, he was ⁣elected ‌Chair of‌ the Board. He also serves on the Board​ of‍ Directors ‌for the Turtle Survival Alliance and the African⁤ Aquatic⁤ Conservation⁣ Fund. He is the Founder and Director of the Chelonian Research Foundation and Chair Emeritus and Executive Vice Chair of the IUCN ‍SSC Tortoise and ‌Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. He was also a founding Co-Chair of the Turtle Conservation‌ Fund and‌ a former member of the Chairman’s Council of Conservation International. Rhodin is also the Founding Editor and⁤ Author ⁢of⁣ Chelonian Conservation and ⁤Biology and Chelonian Research Monographs (co-published with the Turtle Conservancy). And did we⁤ mention he⁢ is also a retired⁣ orthopedic surgeon? The⁢ Turtle Conservancy⁣ is honored to have such a dedicated, influential, and ⁢multifaceted visionary ⁣on our board.