Some of our Projects..
PROTECTING WOOD TURTLES ON FARMLAND IN THE HUDSON VALLEY
In 2018, Jason Tesauro Consulting partnered with Hudsonia, Ltd. to document the interactions between the Wood Turtle, a New York State Species of Special Concern, and agriculture at a 1,600-acre farm in the Hudson Valley. The data generated from this ongoing study has been used to guide and inform farmers how to reduce farm-related turtle mortality and manage portions of the farm as a wood turtle sanctuary.
MONITORING BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDERS IN NORTHERN NJ
In spring 2026, Tesauro began working with New Jersey Natural Lands Trust on the development of a monitoring program for the state-endangered Blue-Spotted Salamander (BSS). Associated with large (500-1000 ac) wetlands occupying basins of ancient glacial lakes, BSS have a relatively small and disjunct range in NJ. Unfortunately much of their habitat occurs in some of the more urbanized sections of the state, and the wetlands that support their breeding habitat are subjected to polluted run-off, mosquito control, ORV use, and staggering floods. Nevertheless, the species has demonstrated incredible resilience to habitat degradation, and thankfully, much of the core habitat has been protected by Natural Lands Trust and other open space protection efforts. Tesauro surveyed dozens of historic/potential breeding sites at a Natural Lands Trust preserve in March 2026, documenting a handful of pools with BSS eggs (pictured). The next phase in the project is to develop and refine a replicable survey technique that accurately assesses salamander abundance in select pools so that population trends can be monitored over time. (Photo Credit: Morgan Mark)
PROTECTING & RESTORING BOG TURTLE HABITAT ON PRIVATE LANDS
For over 20 years, Tesauro has been facilitating the conservation and recovery of populations of the federally-threatened Bog Turtle on working farms and other private lands in New York using NRCS Wetland Reserve Easements and the USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program. These programs provide landowners with resources to restore and manage bog turtle habitats, and the easement program provides permanent protection to critical habitat.
In 2026, Tesauro became the project coordinator for the NRCS Salem River Bog Turtle Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Located in SW NJ, the Salem River drainage and its associated working farms support regionally unique bog turtle habitat and some of the richest herpetofauna in the state.