Phil Allman, Associate Professor in Biological Sciences at FGCU, and his student researchers are studying the population of gopher tortoises in Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples. The land-living creatures are listed as a threatened species in Florida primarily due to loss of habitat. The program was featured in The News-Press. Read the story here.
It’s just the latest example of how Florida Gulf Coast University generates knowledge using Southwest Florida as a living laboratory.
- FGCU’s Wings of Hope program educates local school children about gopher tortoises, Florida panthers and other native Southwest Florida wildlife and their habitats.
- FGCU faculty and students also have been actively involved in the Gophers@Barefoot Project, which aims to restore and enhance habitat for gopher tortoises at the Barefoot Beach Preserve in North Naples. Learn more and watch videos about the tortoises here.