Turtle Release Locator
Find safer nearby habitat for displaced turtles
Overview
The Turtle Release Locator ranks nearby parcels by wetlands, water, road crossings, shoreline, terrain, and distance from where a turtle was found. It helps rescuers and rehabilitators find the safest release location for a displaced turtle — maximizing habitat quality while minimizing road-crossing risk.
How to use
Mark the turtle location
Search an address using the autocomplete field, or click directly on the map to place a pin. You can drag the pin to fine-tune the location.
Select turtle type
Choose Terrestrial (land-dwelling species) or Aquatic (water-dwelling species). The ranking algorithm adapts to the habitat needs of each type.
Adjust search radius
Pick a search radius: 1/4 mi, 1/2 mi, 1 mi, or 2 mi. A smaller radius finds closer candidates; a larger radius casts a wider net.
Review ranked candidates
The app returns a ranked list of candidate parcels. Each entry shows why it ranks where it does — distance to water, road crossings, wetland proximity, and more.
Inspect a candidate
Click any candidate to fly to it on the map. Parcel popups explain the ranking reasoning. Parcels with cross-hatch patterns require road crossings or sit near highways — use caution with these.
Ranking logic
Terrestrial turtles
Ranked by proximity to the nearest wetland, clear of highways. Parcels that require crossing major roads are flagged with a cross-hatch pattern.
Aquatic turtles
Ranked by water proximity, shoreline frontage, water body size, and absence of road crossings. Parcels requiring road crossings are cross-hatched.
Data layers
Parcel boundaries, addresses, acreage, and ownership data from the nationwide parcel layer.
USFWS wetlands data used to identify wetland habitat for terrestrial turtle releases.
Road networks, highways, and water features used for road-safety analysis and aquatic habitat scoring.
Sharing
The map URL encodes the turtle location, search radius, and turtle type, so you can share a specific search with others. The URL parameters are lat, lon, dist, and turtle.
Mobile use
This app is optimized for mobile use. Open it on your phone at the release site to find nearby candidates in real time. The full-screen map and touch-friendly controls make it practical for field use.