Eric Goode, Dr. Peter Pritchard (posthumous) and the Turtle Conservancy were honored by the United Nations this past month, receiving the Legacy Award at the 2022 Ambassador’s Ball. Dionne Warwick, Shepard Fairey, Jennifer Garner, Lady Gaga, and the former Prime Minister of Bhutan (Tshering Tobay) were also recognized for their work in the arts, humanitarian efforts, and climate change.

Liev Schreiber and Taylor Neisen support turtle conservation.

The award celebrated Goode and the Turtle Conservancy’s exceptional work in preserving endangered species and their habitat. It also recognized Goode for continuing the work of the late Dr. Peter Pritchard and his wife Sibille, founders of the Chelonian Research Institute (CRI) alongside Robert Truland. Peter Pritchard is often considered the “Jane Goodall” of turtles, as he popularized turtle conservation through books, tv series, and a turtle museum he called home in Oviedo, Florida. The CRI hosted students and researchers for over 30 years, fostering a collaborative environment for conservationists and scientists.

Eric Goode, founder of the Turtle Conservancy, attributes his passion for turtles to Pritchard.

“Peter was a hero of mine growing up,” said Goode. “I read his books until the pages fell out. My mother thought I was reading dirty magazines under the covers, but it was his book Living Turtles of the World.”

Today, the Turtle Conservancy protects over 70,000 acres across the world and is home to a conservation breeding center in Southern California for endangered turtles and tortoises. It is here that the CRI will live on in perpetuity. This includes the CRI museum of over 18,000 preserved specimens, art, and some of Peter’s personal effects. The “Pritchard Collection” will continue to be available to the scientific community.

“I believe in the work that the Turtle Conservancy continues to pioneer for conservation,” said Sibille Pritchard. “I look forward to the future the Pritchard Collection will provide for the academic and research community. I am thrilled to be part of this continuance.”

Similarly, Pritchard’s long-term study of the Leatherback Sea Turtles in Guyana will be overseen by Dr. Kelly Stewart under this umbrella.

“Dr. Pritchard's work in Guyana toward sea turtle conservation was one of the earliest and best examples of conserving nature by working with local communities,” explained Stewart. “I am thrilled to be part of the team continuing this legacy through the Turtle Conservancy and local partners in Guyana.”

Dr. Peter Pritchard with hatchling leatherback sea turtles in Guyana.

In Goode’s acceptance speech, he stressed the importance of continued efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.

"This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in turtle conservation, not just myself," said Goode. "We will continue to work tirelessly for these creatures, as well as climate change, and humanity. We are proud to be part of a global community working to protect wild animals and wild places for future generations."