The New York Turtle and Tortoise Society

Past NYTTS Events and Member News

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Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day 2022 — After a three-year break, NYTTS returned to participate in the event on Saturday, May 14. See photos of all past Urban Wildlife events.

Felice Rood, age 88, passed away on October 9, 2021. She was the founder and long-time president of the Sacromento Turtle and Tortoise Club. Felice was well-known throughout the turtle community. See announcement from the STTC, and see her obituary in the Sacramento Bee.

Fernando Manzano — known as “Papa Tortuga” (see 2-12-2011 presentation) — passed away in April 2021, Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico. See online obituary.

Dick Vogt passed away on January 17, 2021 in Manaus, Brazil, at the age of 71.
See memorial page.

The 45th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show was held on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak. — See winners and photos.

Seminar 2019 was held at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Yonkers, New York on Saturday, March 23, 2019. See summaries of presentations and photos.

The 44th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show was held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak. — See winners and photos.

Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day 2018 — NYTTS Displayed Turtles for Ninth Year, Saturday, May 5, 2018. See photos of all past Urban Wildlife events.

Seminar 2018 — The 32nd NYTTS Seminar was held at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Yonkers, New York, on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Featured speakers included Bonnie Raphael (Former Head Veterinarian, Bronx Zoo; George Heinrich (Heinrich Ecological Services, St. Petersburg, Florida); and Roger Wood, (Professor Emeritus, Stockton University and Former Director of Research, The Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor, New Jersey). Review meeting presentations and photos.

The 43rd Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show was held on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak. — See winners and photos.

Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day 2017 — NYTTS Displayed Turtles for Eighth Year, Saturday, May 6, 2017. See photos of all past Urban Wildlife events.

Seminar 2017 — The 31st NYTTS Seminar was held at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Yonkers, New York, on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Featured speakers included George Heinrich (Heinrich Ecological Services, St. Petersburg, Florida); Nathan Reid (Amarican Museum of Natural History); and Paul Calle (Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo). Review meeting presentations and photos.

The 42nd Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show was held on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at our new venue—the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak. — See winners and photos.

Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day 2016 — NYTTS Displayed Turtles for seventh year, Saturday, May 7. 2016. See photos of all past Urban Wildlife events..

Seminar 2015 — The 30th NYTTS Annual Seminar was held at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Yonkers, New York, on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Featured speakers included Britney Murphy, Danielle Taylor-Lang, and Nichole Shelmidine (WCS/Prospect Park Zoo); Theodora Pinou (Western Connecticut State University); and Ben Atkinson (Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida). See photos from this meeting and review speakers and presentations.

41st Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show, May 21, 2015 — See winners and photos.

NYTTS Celebrates Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day for Sixth Year — Saturday, May 9, 2015. See photos of all past Urban Wildlife events.

Yaqui Guthrie Yamdrok passed away August 25, 2015. See See memorial page.

“Compassionate Release” of Hatchling Turtles — The NYTTS Rehabilitation Program, directed by Lorri Cramer, continues its collaboration with local Buddhist leaders. See the special release ceremony on October 11, 2014.

40th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show, May 21, 2014 — See winners and photos.

Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day 2014 — NYTTS Displayed Turtles for fifth year, Saturday, May 4. 2014. See photos of all past Urban Wildlife events.

Seminar 2014 — The 29th NYTTS Annual Seminar, was held in the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York City, on Saturday, May 17, 2014. Featured speakers included Bronx Zoo Curator of Herpetology Don Boyer, Smithsonian Instutute paleontologist Tyler Lyson, Chelonian Research Institute director Peter C.H. Pritchard, and Chief Bronx Zoo veterinarian Bonnie Raphael. See photos from this meeting and review speakers and presentations.

NYTTS gives another turtle talk at Berkeley College, July 22, 2013. — See description and photos.

Josephine Arnold, a long-time member and familiar face at the Annual Turtle and Tortoise Shows, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 14, 2013.
See memorial page.

Alex Ypsilanti, a much-loved, longtime member and NYTTS Board member, passed away after a long and brave battle with cancer on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
See memorial page.

Seminar 2013 — the 28th NYTTS Annual Seminar, was held in the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York City, on March 9, 2013. Featured speakers included Professor Russell Burke, sea turtle author Jack Rudloe, and Chelonian Institute Director Peter C.H. Pritchard. See photos from this meeting and review speakers and presentations.

NYTTS gives turtle talk at Berkeley College in Manhattan. NYTTS members conducted a talk/demonstration for Rabbi Jo David’s science course. See description and photos.

NYTTS Joins Buddhist Leaders to encourage humane and environmentally friendly practices — The NYTTS Rehabilitation Program is collaborating with local Buddhist leaders to encourage the “New Compassionate Release Life Practice” and to support humane and environmentally friendly practices toward turtles and other animals. See Environmentally Friendly Buddhist Release Practices by Lorri Cramer, Director, NYTTS Turtle Rehabilitation Program (July 2012).

In Memory of Don Riemer — Long-time friend of NYTTS and contributing author to its publications in the 1980s and 90s, Donald N. Riemer, 78, died of cardiac arrest on June 13, 2012. He was a professor at Rutgers University where he conducted research and taught courses related to aquatic plants.
See memorial and obituary.

38th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show, June 2, 2012 — See Winners’ List.

“Turtles of Central Park” Urban Safari Walk, May 12, 2012 — See slide show and video of the walk.

Seminar 2012 — the 27th NYTTS Annual Seminar, was held in the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York City, on March 10, 2012. Featured speakers included naturalist-artist David M. Carroll, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Bog Turtle Recovery Program Coordinator Alison Whitlock, and Chelonian Institute Director Peter C.H. Pritchard. See photos from this meeting and review speakers and presentations.

Snapper Found in February 2012 — Frank Indiviglio and his 4-year-old nephew Haiden discovered a large snapping turtle in Alpine, New Jersey, in February. See Snapper Active in February.

NYTTS Member Matt Hybel Hatches 47 Asian Brown Tortoises! August 2011  See story and photos.

Remembering Stephanie Thompson ~ July 26, 2011 — Read “Stephanie Thompson — An Appreciation” by Michael Sherwin, a longtime friend and early NYTTS member, as well as a slide show of snapshots.

37th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show, June 4, 2011 — See Winners’ List.

Bern Tryon, Well-known Bog Turtle scientist, died on May 6, 2011 — See obituaries.

Seminar 2011 — the 26th NYTTS Annual Seminar, was held in the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York City. Review speakers and presentations.

Papa Tortuga at NYTTS — On February 13, 2011, Fernando, affectionately known as “Papa Tortuga” (Father Turtle), and his team from the Tecolutla Turtle Preservation Project, presented a documentary and lecture on Fernando’s many years of work protecting nests and hatchlings. See more of Papa Tortuga at NYTTS.

Remembering JoAnn Vacchiano — Longtime NYTTS member and devoted turtle person JoAnn Vachiano passed away on January 20, 2011. See photos and remembrances.

36th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show, June 12, 2010 — See Winners’ List and Photos.

In Memoriam: John Thorbjarnarson, well-known Wildlife Conservation Society herpetologist, died of malaria in India on February 14, 2010. See A Life in Conservation by Chuck Schaffer.

Fish and Turtle Rescue in Propect Park — In November 2009 and again in March 2012, NYTTS volunteers joined the Natural Resounces Crew in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, in their fish and turtle rescue project while small portions of the northeast end of Prospect Park Lake was drained by the Parks Department in preparation for reconstruction of the shoreline. See more information and slide shows of those efforts.

Florida Turtle Tour: Topic of November 1st (2009) meeting: — NYTTS members who participated in turtle biologist George Heinrich’s Florida Turtles Natural History Tour the previous summer shared their experience with slides and stories. See more information and a slide show of the 2009 summer tour.