The IUCN/SSC Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG) in 2006 established the John Behler Turtle Conservation Award, a major annual award to honor leadership and excellence in the field of turtle and tortoise conservation. The award honors John L. Behler, previous Chair of the TFTSG and Curator of Herpetology at the Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, who passed away in early 2006. The Behler Award is presented jointly by the TSA and TFTSG and includes an honorarium of $3000. Co-sponsoring supporters for the award have been Chelonian Research Foundation, Conservation International, Chelonian Research Institute, Behler Chelonian Center, World Chelonian Trust, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Deb Behler, John’s wife. In addition to honoring the life-time achievements of leading turtle and tortoise conservationists, the Behler Award plans to also honor current conservation efforts by mid-career individuals who are making major contributions to the field. Recognizing and valuing the often tireless and dedicated efforts made by all these individuals is important, and the Behler Award hopes to provide inspiration and reward for not only silverback veterans with life-long achievements, but also younger and emerging leaders working on the front lines of global turtle conservation efforts.

2007 Behler Award

The IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance in 2006 established the John Behler Turtle Conservation Award, a major annual award to honor leadership and excellence in the field of turtle and tortoise conservation. The award honors John Behler, previous Chair of the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and Curator of Herpetology at the Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society, who passed away in 2006.

The honoree receiving the 2nd Behler Award was Whit Gibbons, a life-long turtle researcher and conservationist.

2006 Behler Award

Dr Edward O. Moll, a life-long turtle researcher and conservationist, is the first recipient of the Behler Award, a new and major annual award jointly presented by the IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance and IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, to honour leadership and excellence in the field of turtle and tortoise conservation.