A management plan describes future land practices that balance the needs of the people and their activities with those of the natural resources in question.  In this case your primary concern is the wellbeing of the box turtles, however, management strategies for one species often secure habitat for others (keystone).  You will want to consider the following:

1. Turtle Behavior

2. Turtle Life Cycles

3. Turtle Population

4. Current and future land uses practices

5. Changes to our behavior and use of the campus

6. Existing habitat and habitat alteration

Suggestions for developing your management plan

1. Opening paragraph – this should outline the need for a management plan. Remember that your plan is for the Lovett campus and adjoining properties.

2. List all points of concern for the turtles and identify their impact – support with data if you can.  Provide the problem and follow it with the solution.  Predict future impacts on turtle populations that may not currently exist when developing your plans. Here is a brief sampling of things to consider.  This is not an exhaustive list. 

•    Crossing roads

•    Lawn Mowers

•    Hibernation

•    Nesting

Problem: Road Crossings

Solution: Turtle Crossing Guards

3. Suggest methods for evaluating the success of your plans and realistic time frames.  In short what would the results of a successful plan look like and how would you know you achieved it?

4. Suggest future studies that will help to establish improved management and sustainable practices.

5. The closing paragraph should outline the incentives for following through with the plan - who benefits besides the turtles and why.