CheloniaCast

George Balazs' Dedication to Honu (Part 2)

CheloniaCast is joined by George Balazs, a global independent sea turtle scientist and former leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Turtle Research Program, a position that he held for over 30 years. George is, and has been, a massive force for sea turtles and ocean conservation. This episode covers the conservation science, cultural significance, future outlook, global migration ecology, and personal philosophy surrounding primarily Pacific sea turtles from the perspective of a key contributor to their study and appreciation.   To learn more about George’s work, and about sea turtles in general, check out his website (it is a treasure trove of information): https://georgehbalazs.com/ [https://georgehbalazs.com/]   If you want a short, comprehensive, list of articles about sea turtles check out: https://georgehbalazs.com/articles/16-useful-short-papers-on-the-basics-of-sea-turtle-conservation-research/ [https://georgehbalazs.com/articles/16-useful-short-papers-on-the-basics-of-sea-turtle-conservation-research/]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/]   Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e / Drew Millman - @drew.millman

Turtle Hatchlings, Adaptation, and Fieldwork

CheloniaCast sits down with Dr. Fredric Janzen. Dr. Janzen is the former director of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and a current professor in Michigan State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Dr. Janzen uses turtles as a model system to study deeper questions in the study of life, development, and evolution. The conversation covers various aspects of Dr. Janzen’s experiences in the study of turtle life history, evolution, and adaptation. From temperature sex determination considering climate change, reproductive behaviors, differences in fecundity between species, and egg/hatching adaptations, the conversation is wide-ranging.   To see Dr. Janzens’s fascinating work, visit: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t5ftuNQAAAAJ&hl=en [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t5ftuNQAAAAJ&hl=en]   To learn more about the Janzen Lab at Michigan State University visit: https://www.kbs.msu.edu/research/labs/janzen/ [https://www.kbs.msu.edu/research/labs/janzen/]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/]   Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast   Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

From the Directors: Gopher Games

On this episode of CheloniaCast we are joined by both Brent Fannin and Chase Pirtle, the producers behind the documentary Gopher Games: a short documentary focusing on the potential grim fate of the Gopher Tortoises in Florida. Chase is the Director of the 100-acre Ashton Preserve and has diverse experience in wildlife conservation and study across various states in the U.S. Brent is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, drone pilot, educator, and founder of Golden Hawk Drones. The conversation dives into the process of producing the Gopher Games film, and details some of the major takeaways for both Brent and Chase. A prominent theme of the conversation is the fact that the majority of the commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are developers, and why this is not a fair situation for the Gopher Tortoise. The value of the Gopher Tortoise both intrinsically, and instrumentally, is discussed at length as well as the imminent threats they are facing.   To learn more about how you can help the Gopher Tortoise, and the entirety of Florida’s immensely biodiverse ecosystem by extension, visit the Gopher Games website here: https://gophergamesfilm.com/ [https://gophergamesfilm.com/]   Do you think it is not fair that the majority of the leadership of Florida’s state wildlife agency have immense incentive to develop the state further? Join 9,290 people that have signed the FWC reform petition here: https://www.change.org/p/reform-the-florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission [https://www.change.org/p/reform-the-florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission]   View the Gopher Games Documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURwdKwLoB8 Follow the Gopher Games social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gophergamesfilm [https://www.instagram.com/gophergamesfilm]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gophergamesfilm [https://www.facebook.com/gophergamesfilm]   Spread the word about the beauty, and plight, of the Gopher Tortoise. Use your voice to make a difference.   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/]   Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Southwest Florida Turtles, Costa Rica, and a lot of Biology

CheloniaCast is joined by Jordan Donini, Professor of Biology at Florida Southwestern State College. Jordan is an accomplished researcher with focuses on life history, reproductive biology, spatial ecology, and seasonal movements of turtles. His work has spanned across multiple fascinating chelonian hot spots, notably Costa Rica and the Southeastern United States. The conversation ranges from Jordan’s experiences in the field as well as unique aspects of turtle ecology uncovered by Jordan’s research. Phenomena such as Gopher Tortoises being gravid in the winter, box turtles eating crabs, the cryptic nature of the Florida Mud Turtle, and a Florida Softshell Turtle with an additional cloaca are discussed.   For the past few years Jordan has organized Herpeton, The Florida Herpetology Conference, the premier symposium highlighting the immense amount of herpetological research and conservation in the Sunshine State. You can register and learn more about Herpeton (from October 31st-November 2nd in 2025) here: https://www.fsw.edu/herpetonconference [https://www.fsw.edu/herpetonconference]   Be sure to follow along with Jordan and his students on the Southwest Florida Turtle Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swfl_turtle_project/?locale=id&hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/swfl_turtle_project/?locale=id&hl=en]   Check out Jordans fascinating publications here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jordan-Donini-2 [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jordan-Donini-2]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/]   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/ [https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/]   Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast   Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Studying and Conserving Northeastern Turtles

CheloniaCast is joined by Michela Coury, Freshwater Turtle Biologist for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and all-around turtle biologist and researcher. Michela did her master’s thesis on Spotted Turtle ecology and movement and has vast field experience with various other North American turtle species. In her current position with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game she is tasked with protecting the state’s turtle populations through habitat management, fieldwork, data collection/analysis, and outreach. The conversation dives into Michela’s upbringing into turtles, experiences in the field and the many rewarding aspects of the world of turtle conservation. There is also much discussion about Spotted Turtle home range, the use of R in spatial analysis, and some wild fieldwork stories. Check out the podcast that Michela co-hosts, the Field Stories Podcast, here: https://www.youtube.com/@FieldStories.podcast Be sure to follow Michela’s Instagram to follow along with her adventures saving turtles and biodiversity: https://www.instagram.com/michiganbiologist/?hl=en Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/ Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/ Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e