Slow and steady wins the race: time and dedication help East Division team care for important tortoise species

Gopher tortoises receive care and comfort from Martin Marietta team members

As one of the oldest living species on the planet, gopher tortoises are a significant element of the United States’ southern ecosystem. According to the United States Forest Service and other environmental groups, gopher tortoises live in self-made, extensive burrows up to 40 feet long and 10 feet wide. These burrows provide shelter for approximately 350 other native species, including the endangered Eastern indigo snake, gopher frog, Florida mouse, and hundreds of rodents and invertebrates.

Gopher tortoises and other animals use the burrows to shelter from various threats, including drastic weather, widespread wildfires, and other natural challenges. Simply put, many species survive, in large part, because of the help they get from gopher tortoises.

So, when Connor Goudy, an environmental engineer from the East Division, said a consultant found tortoises on the premises of St. Mary’s Sand in Georgia, he knew proper care and protection procedures were necessary.

“These tortoises play a vital role in our ecosystem, supporting countless species and contributing significantly to the natural world,” Goudy said. “It is our responsibility to protect and care for them in every way possible.”

Under Georgia law, the gopher tortoise is considered a threatened species. Working with the state’s Department of Natural Resources, Goudy and the consultants devised a schedule and process to transfer the newly found shelled residents carefully to a new home.

To ensure the tortoises were as shielded as possible, the team spent 24 hours using the least invasive method possible to make sure the tortoises were moved safely and comfortably. Gopher tortoises naturally dig into the ground in a corkscrew manner, and the deepest burrow the team encountered was approximately 20 feet down. A plan was set to remove them from their complex homes.

While one crew member used a small excavator, Goudy and another teammate guided a PVC pole into the burrow to help steer the operator as they slowly excavated the space, scraping it carefully to mitigate the potential of any harm to the tortoise during the process. The team then repeated this process over the multiple burrows found on the property.

“The amount of care and effort Martin Marietta and its employees dedicate to the environment is inspiring,” said Ellen Price, the regional manager of environmental services who worked with Goudy on this project. “Working for a company that sets a high standard for sustainability and makes it a priority from the top down has been a privilege.”

At the end of the day, a total of five adult tortoises and one juvenile were extracted and tested for upper respiratory diseases. Once the Department of Natural Resources deemed the animals healthy, the team safely relocated them to an 8-acre sanctuary owned by the Alligator Creek Wildlife Management Association in Lumber City, Georgia.

St. Mary’s Sand Plant Manager Derrick Rainge said he had seen much less care and dedication to wildlife relocation at previous jobs. He is happy to see his current company honor the site’s animal neighbors.

“Not only does Martin Marietta care about the health and well-being of its employees, but we also strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for the wildlife,” Rainge said.

Goudy said sites within the livable region of the gopher tortoises would be reviewed for burrows that may house the species.

“This is something we’re going to be monitoring moving forward,” Goudy said. “It’s going to be a continuous initiative.”