The Annual Turtle Summit is Back for 2026!
Join us on April 4th, 2026 at the Southbridge Community Center!
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
We have new and exciting topics for turtle professionals of all experience levels! Talks include:
Rehabilitation at Home
Lab Diagnostics and Nomenclature
Natural History of Massachusetts’ Turtles
Maintaining Public Relationships and Good Standing with State Officials
Parasites in Turtles
And more…!
Additionally, we’ll be offering two hands-on courses: large turtle handling and a gross necropsy in a wet lab setting. Courses have limited capacity so don’t wait to get your ticket add-ons! Attending both courses is possible.
This conference is designed primarily for wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, conservationists, and college students, although all are welcome to attend and learn! Please note that graphic images and sensitive topics will be presented, so this event is not suitable for children younger than 16. All information and techniques shared are intended for permitted/licensed individuals and are not a substitute for a mentorship program.
Beyond the presentations, you’ll have time to network with fellow professionals in the field, and visit their booths. Attendees can also purchase books by Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson. Plus, we’ll have raffle baskets, t-shirts, and new sticker designs for sale!
For lunch, we’re bringing back the Braised food truck. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options will be available! Reserve your tickets online now to get a 25% discount. Tickets are also available at the door for $20. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Student Discounts Available!
High school and college level students are encouraged to explore careers in wildlife rehabilitation through the Turtle Summit! Student general admission tickets are available on Eventbrite for $5. Due to the graphic nature of presentations, students younger than high school are not recommended to attend. Parental discretion advised.
CE Credits Available!
Massachusetts permitted wildlife rehabilitators can earn up to 7 continuing education credits (includes breakout session and wet lab). CE Credit Sheet provided day-of must be signed by each speaker or instructor in order to qualify for credits. Rehabilitators are responsible for obtaining speaker signatures and submitting the completed sheet to MassWildlife.
2026 Turtle Summit Speakers and Topics
Anne Staudenmaier, VMD, DABVP (Avian Practice)
MSPCA- Angell West Avian & Exotic Animal Medicine
“Turtle Recall: Understanding the ‘Turtle’ Breakdown of Common Nomenclature and Testing”
This talk will go over common nomenclature used for anatomy, physical exam, and laboratory testing to help gain a better understanding of what physical exam and lab results mean. 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.
Tracy Zustra- Berkshire County Turtle Rescue Inc.
President, Wildlife Rehabilitator
“The Bathtub is for Turtles Now: Techniques for Rehabbing Turtles in Your Home.”
This session explores practical techniques for rehabilitating turtles at home when space is limited. Drawing from real-world experience, it covers small-space housing setups, sanitation and workflow, safely managing large turtles and adapting care tasks to be done solo, and cultivating patience for extended rehabilitation timelines. Attendees will leave with adaptable, realistic strategies for providing effective care in a residential session. By the end of this, participants will be able to: describe techniques for safely chain feeding large snapping turtles in an at-home rehabilitation setting, AND compare tube vs gavage feeding, including indications, benefits, and risk of each method in turtle rehabilitation. Tracy Zustra has been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for 14 years and founded Berkshire County Turtle Rescue Inc. Tracy is also on the board of the Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (WRAM) and is a Turtle, Snake, and Amphibian Rehabilitation WRAM Mentor.
Everly Endicott- Turtle Rescue League Inc.
Wildlife Rehabilitator
“Natural History of Native Turtles of Massachusetts and its Importance in Wildlife Rehabilitation”
This presentation will cover the natural history of turtles in Massachusetts, focusing on the species you are most likely to encounter in rehabilitation. From there, Everly will show how you can take this knowledge of our native species and their environment and apply it to being a rehabilitator. From intake to release, natural history teaches us how to provide the best care for our patients at every step. Everly is a permitted Wildlife rehabilitator and student at UMass Boston’s School for the Environment. She has had a strong passion for wildlife her whole life and is always learning everything she can about animals. Using her passion for wildlife photography and education, she volunteers her time educating and advocating for herptiles, as she believes they are an often-overlooked group. Her passion is shown in school in her interest in Wetlands and Ecology, and in her training in identification and Wildlife Ecology for native species in Massachusetts.
Melissa Stevens- My Little Turtle Rescue Inc.
President, Wildlife Rehabilitator
“What does your first season as a turtle rehabilitator really look like?”
In this talk, Melissa shares reflections from her first year as a turtle rehabilitator- the learning curve, unexpected challenges, wins and heartbreaks, and the lessons that only come from doing. This talk is meant to encourage newer and aspiring turtle rehabbers to jump in, get curious, and remember that growth happens one day-and one turtle-at a time. Melissa Stevens is a Northampton-area licensed wildlife rehabilitator specializing in freshwater turtles. Now completing her first full season in turtle rehabilitation, she brings a grounded, honest, perspective to the real, imperfect, and deeply meaningful experiences that shape new rehabilitators as they step into this work.
Crystal Poyfair- Prehistoric World Reptile Zoo and Conservation Center
Owner, Conservationist
“How to Win Friends and Influence People- The Turtle Edition”
Time and time again we hear colleagues express that the most difficult aspect of working with animals is the human interactions. Dealing with the general public, federal and state agencies, and media journalists can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming. Yet, we need to keep in good standing and keep our cool with the public to continue helping the animals. Join Crystal as she shares stories of her own encounters with the public, agencies, and media, and gives tips on what you can do to keep your sanity and maintain important relationships with your state agencies, potential donors, and the public.
Crystal Poyfair is the owner of Prehistoric World Reptile Zoo and Conservation Center in Perry, New York. Prehistoric World currently works with 43 chelonian species of which 14 of those species are endangered or critically endangered. Crystal has been working professionally in the animal field for 34 years in aquariums, zoos, pet stores, field work, a commercial breeding facility, and for animal youtubers. Some of her career highlights include being the Executive Producer of a reptile documentary in Australia, working with Colin Riddell and Bob Irwin (yes, THAT Bob Irwin) of Australia to help save dugongs and sea turtles, as well as training USFWS, DEC officers, and local LEOs on how to handle venomous snakes and crocodilians during drug raids and illegal animal confiscations.
Montana Stone- Brown University
PhD Candidate
“Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Stories”
In this talk, Montana shares successes and failures from sea turtle rehabilitation in North Carolina. Montana grew up around wildlife rehabilitation and developed an early love for animals and conservation. She studied ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University, and later earned a master’s degree at the University of Manitoba, studying Arctic whales. After that, she spent two years working at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, North Carolina as the Sea Turtle Management and Rehabilitation Fellow, which is where she fell in love with turtles! She is currently a PhD candidate at Brown University, where she uses DNA to better understand food webs and ecosystems.
Ezequiel Vanderhoeven- DVM, PhD in Biological Sciences
Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University, Kartzinel Lab
“HelmBank Project: Uncovering Hidden Parasite Biodiversity Through Community Research and Conservation”
This presentation outlines the HelmBank initiative, a collaborative project at Brown University designed to strengthen internal parasite collections from wild animals. This talk will discuss the vital role that community engagement plays in our success, highlighting how we involve local stakeholders – including rescue centers and field veterinarians – in the collection and sharing of wildlife parasite specimens. By combining rigorous scientific research with local knowledge and “on-the-ground” networks, HelmBank bridges the gap between field collection and high-tech analysis.
Dr. Vanderhoeven will talk about examples on how this collaborative model accelerates data collection, yielding molecular barcodes for novel host and parasite species while enhancing our broader understanding of wildlife health and ecological processes. Furthermore, he will share how this approach not only supports scientific goals but can also be directly applied to chelonian conservation. He will explore how understanding the parasite load in turtles can reveal critical indicators of environmental disruption and identify parasites with the potential to impact population health. This framework offers a valuable strategy for organizations and wildlife rehabilitators to maximize the scientific and conservation value of every rescue.
Ezequiel Vanderhoeven is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University in the Kartzinel Lab. He is a veterinarian with a PhD in Biological Sciences, specializing in disease ecology and host-pathogen interactions. His current research centers on parasites affecting wildlife and he is an integral part of the Helmbank project, an innovative initiative that employs both molecular and morphological techniques to comprehensively characterize parasites from diverse wildlife species. In addition to his research, he actively contributes to various conservation projects as a veterinary member, assisting in the capture and handling of species such as jaguars, giant armadillos, sloths, and other mammal species.
Breakout Sessions and Wet Lab
Michaela Conder- Turtle Rescue League Inc.
Wildlife Rehabilitator, Vice President
“Handling Big Turtles as a Small Person; an Interactive Demonstration”
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! Due to the nature of this breakout session, audience size will be limited to two courses of 20 people. See schedule below for details! While this demonstration is geared towards medical applications, all are welcome to learn turtle handling techniques!
Michaela Conder 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.
Alexxia Bell- Turtle Rescue League Inc.
Wildlife Rehabilitator, Board of Directors
“What’s happening inside?? Basic Turtle Anatomy and Gross Necropsy”
Many of our turtle friends end up on our benches needing repair from car strikes to dog attacks to poisoning and even gunshot wounds. This course will give insights into what is happening to the systems inside the turtle. Basic turtle anatomy, combined with a hands-on gross necropsy, will show all the major organs and systems, how they work, and the problems that occur during the life of a turtle. This is a hands-on course; four teams of five people, and handouts will be provided. Alexxia R. Bell co-founded the Turtle Rescue League and served as president for 14 years. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors and has been a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in turtles for 15 years.
This lab is strictly limited to veterinarians, vet techs, and permitted wildlife rehabilitators. No exceptions will be made.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
2026 Turtle Summit Schedule
8:30am-9:00am
Doors open! Enjoy coffee and morning refreshments.
9:00am-10:00am
Presentation by Dr. Anne Staudenmaier.
10:00am-11:00am
Presentation by Tracy Zustra.
11:00am-12:00pm
Presentation by Everly Endicott. First Breakout Session with Michaela Conder.
12:00pm-1:00pm
Lunch with Braised Food Truck. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options available!
1:00pm-2:00pm
Presentation by Melissa Stevens. Second Breakout Session with Michaela Conder.
2:00pm-3:00pm
Presentation by Crystal Poyfair.
3:00pm-4:00pm
Presentation by Montana Stone. Wet Lab with Alexxia Bell.
4:00pm-5:00pm
Presentation by Dr. Ezequiel Vanderhoeven.
5:00pm-5:30pm
Raffle announcements and final sales take place.
***Speakers and schedule are subject to change***
Location
The Turtle Summit has changed locations! In the past, we have hosted at our facility. To accommodate a larger audience, we will now be hosting the Turtle Summit at the Southbridge Community Center (153 Chestnut Street, Southbridge, MA 01550).