At the Annual Symposium of the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, Dr. Ross Kiester, Senior Biologist at the Turtle Conservancy, was awarded the Pritchard Turtle Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals for their lifelong contributions and lasting impact on turtle conservation and biology.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Dr. Kiester is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on turtle conservation. He has combined rigorous scientific research with a deep commitment to protecting endangered turtles and tortoises around the globe.

Trained as both a mathematician and an ecologist, Dr. Kiester earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He began his career in ecological modeling before shifting his focus to turtle conservation in the 1980s. His interdisciplinary work has contributed significantly to species distribution modeling, conservation planning, and the development of global priority-setting tools for chelonian protection. He also served as a senior scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he helped integrate ecological science into environmental policy.

Dr. Kiester continues to advise on science, strategy, and global partnerships. He has published extensively and remains active in the international scientific community, mentoring emerging conservationists and collaborating across disciplines and borders.

At the Turtle Conservancy, Dr. Kiester plays a critical role in shaping international conservation programs. He is particularly interested in the protection and recovery of the Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) at the Conservancy’s preserve in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the Geometric Tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) in South Africa.

His recognition with the Pritchard Award in 2025 honors a lifetime of extraordinary contributions to the science and practice of turtle conservation.