Anders Rhodin

I echo the welcoming messages penned so eloquently above by Chuck Schaffer and Dwight Lawson. Welcome to this joint meeting of the IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. As noted by both Chuck and Dwight, this 4th annual conference initiated by the TSA has gradually grown and is emerging as an increasingly important international symposium on conservation and biology of freshwater turtles and tortoises. For those of us who have regularly attended the annual Sea Turtle Symposium–now in its 26th year and hugely successful with great diversity and breadth of participation–we have long hoped for an opportunity to create such an annual forum in our own freshwater and terrestrial chelonian community. This symposium is positioned to become that forum, bringing together the TSA and TFTSG and any interested turtle conservationists and biologists. We have what it takes–a dedicated team of spirited and hard-working volunteers to make the meeting happen, a large and diverse group of turtle and tortoise experts, enthusiasts, and students to present their work and provide networking opportunities, and dedicated and engaged sponsoring organizations and individuals committed to providing the necessary support for these meetings to continue to grow and prosper. Welcome to this 4th Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises–the future looks bright ahead and we hope you all enjoy and benefit from this shared experience.

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