Several factors are examined when theTurtleRoom is picking a species, location, country for a project. As a young non-profit, one of these factors is, obviously, the cost involved. We need to make sure our dollars get the most value, so it is important to select projects that have an impact and fit within our existing budget (which we are working hard to continually grow). We also value the turtles native to our home country, so our in-situ work has begun with species in the United States that need protection, such as the North American Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) and Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin ssp.).
As we grow, we plan to work globally where threatened, endangered, and critically endangered species exist. Factors that will be considered to determine the most important projects include species richness (number of species), percent endemism (number that are found only in that country), and degree of endangerment. We already have relationships with organizations in several other countries and hope to begin working alongside some of them soon.