Wiregrass Turtle & Tortoise Initiative started with one simple realization: Southeast Alabama has incredible native turtles and tortoises, but very few local resources dedicated specifically to helping them.

What began with stopping for turtles in the road has grown into a community effort focused on education, documenting local wildlife, protecting habitat, connecting injured animals with appropriate help, and working toward creating a much-needed local resource for turtle and tortoise rehabilitation.

I?m a nursing student building WTTI from the ground up, and right now one of our biggest goals is establishing the organization formally so we can pursue nonprofit status, funding opportunities, educational programs, road-safety projects, events, and eventually the appropriate permitting needed to expand wildlife rehabilitation resources in our area.

Every shirt purchased helps move that mission forward.

And honestly ?Respect the Locals? says exactly what this is about. These animals were here long before our roads, subdivisions, and cars. They deserve a little room to cross. ?

Thank you for wearing the message, supporting this little grassroots mission, and helping Southeast Alabama show some respect for its locals.

Where Your Support Goes:

Proceeds from this fundraiser will support WTTI?s startup and organizational expenses, community education and outreach, wildlife signage and awareness projects, data collection efforts, and the steps necessary to grow WTTI into a sustainable local conservation and wildlife-support resource.