Turtle Summit 2024

Turtle Rescue League

Turtle Rescue League's annual Turtle Summit is back!  Learn from experts from all over the Northeast, build your network, save turtles!

Southbridge Community Center

The annual Turtle Summit returns!Are you a turtle professional or interested in becoming one? Come and join us on March 23rd, 2024 at the Southbridge Community Center!When Covid disrupted all of our lives in March 2020 and the world went into lockdown, we had to cancel our annual Turtle Summit.Gathering all our colleagues under one roof and sharing new techniques to help turtles has always been a highlight of the turtle rescue season.With great excitement, we are announcing the return of the Turtle Summit!There will be great speakers and topics, and most importantly, the opportuity for rehabilitators, veterinarians and conservationists to mingle and create the synergy that helps so many turtles across the region.Some graphic images of injured animals will be presented and may not be suitable for children.More information and agenda to come as we finalize topics with our presenters!Tickets are limited, get yours today! If space allows, tickets can be purchased for $25.00 at the door.We look forward to seeing you there! 2024 Turtle Summit Speakers and Topics Dr. Anne Staudenmaier VMD, DABVP (Avian Practice), MSPCA-Angell West “‘A 'Turtle' Disaster: Recognizing Common and Emerging Diseases in Northeastern Chelonians’” Dr. Staudenmaier graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 with a strong interest in exotic pet and zoo medicine. Following graduation, she completed an internship in zoo and exotic animal medicine at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA and went on to complete a residency in exotic animal medicine at Angell. Dr. Staudenmaier has published several articles in the fields of exotic pet and wildlife medicine and has presented lectures at local and national veterinary conferences. This talk will give an overview of common disease presentations seen in North American chelonians and touch on emerging diseases of growing importance. Tracy Zustra Berkshire County Turtle Rescue Inc. "Going from 0 to 100" After taking several years off from rehabilitating other wildlife species, Tracy started again with no experience as a wild turtle rehabilitator. For the last two years, Tracy was the only wild turtle rehabilitator in Western Massachusetts. She will be sharing her experiences and innovations as a now seasoned turtle rehabber and the founder of Berkshire County Turtle Rescue Inc. Natasha Nowick Turtle Rescue League Facility Director, President "Mathematics of Medications" This will be a breakout session geared towards removing the fear and headache of generating accurate and effective doses for the most common medications in turtle rehabilitation. These techniques can be applied to many drugs and treatments, keeping the mystery out of medicine! Beyond the calculator, we will be approaching the most common dilutions, pairing down unwieldy doses to match the proportions of your patient, all the way from hatchlings to monster-sized snapping turtles. Learn to love the calculator and embrace simple math! Michaela Conder Turtle Rescue League Clinician “Handling Big Turtles as a Small Person; an Interactive Demonstration” Michaela has been handling large snapping turtles unassisted since age 16, when she lived in Kansas. Her first encounter with snapping turtles was made memorable by a state highway and an electric cattle fence! She has since developed many techniques for safely (and creatively) handling and restraining turtles of all sizes for transport, injections, and minor procedures. Join Michaela for demonstrations and the chance to practice handling live turtles! This interactive breakout session is catered to the solo or new rehabber, turtle transporters, and anyone needing a confidence boost! Kristen Lazuka Lazuka’s Landing Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation “Thinking out of the box; How to use things around you for turtle rehab” Kristen has extensive experience in the medical field, including a prestigious career as an OR nurse. She continues to care for others in her spare time as a wildlife rehabilitator by serving several different species, including turtles. Kristen utilizes her career experience to modify equipment and tools for use in turtle rehabilitation. She will be sharing her innovations so that you too can think out of the box! Will Chen P.E., Turtle Rescue League Box Turtle Consultant “Feeding Fundamentals: Optimizing nutrition for Captive Box Turtles and Nurturing Healthy Hatchings” Introducing Will Chen, a professional engineer and self-taught box turtle expert, boasting over a decade of unwavering commitment to the care and conservation of these remarkable creatures. With a distinguished background in practical turtle husbandry and a notable tenure as a nutrition consultant for the Turtle Rescue League, Will has meticulously refined his skills in optimizing the nutritional welfare of captive box turtles. In captivity, box turtles often confront challenges stemming from inadequate nutrition, resulting in significant health risks such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), ocular complications, and shell deformities. Throughout this presentation, we will emphasize practical and proactive measures, offering a diverse selection of food sources readily available. Our discussion underscores the pivotal importance of maintaining optimal environmental conditions for hatchlings, encompassing ample space, appropriate humidity levels, and a variety of sheltering options. Alexxia Bell Turtle Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitator “Large Snapping Turtle Shell Repair and Management” Alexxia has been innovating new techniques for shell repair since she started rehabilitating turtles in 2012. Learn how to assess and repair large shell fractures with the least invasive methods and best healing capabilities. Content will include initial shell fracture setting, large brace work, and healing timelines.

Agenda

Meet n Greet! Raffle baskets will be available, and there will be a silent auction with an incredible prize! You can also grab your copy of "Of Time and Turtles" by Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson. Enjoy morning refreshments while networking with fellow turtle professionals from all across the United States. 

Meet and Greet

Presentations by Dr. Anne Staudenmaier and Tracy Zustra

Enjoy a delicious lunch from the BRAISED food truck! A variety of tacos, bowls, and braised cuisine will be available for purchase, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Attend breakout sessions with Natasha Nowick and Michaela Conder.

Lunch & Breakout Sessions with Natasha Nowick and Michaela Conder

Presentations by Kristen Lazuka, Will Chen, and Alexxia Bell

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Turtle Summit 2024

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Turtle Summit 2024

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