Our Story

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference to make.”

-Jane Goodall, Primatologist and Conservationist

Vision & Mission

Our vision is to help create a world where urban development and biodiversity thrive in harmony, protecting local ecosystems and wildlife while fostering sustainable growth.

Our mission is to protect and preserve native turtle populations by:

  1. Educating and engaging the community through volunteer initiatives

  2. Partnering with the construction industry to implement wildlife-friendly practices

  3. Advance erosion control measures to protect the local ecosystem and development projects

Our Board of Directors:

  • Tanya Finch

    FOUNDER

    A Northern Virginia native, Tanya has been passionate about animals all her life and started Tanyas Turtle Project in 2021.

    In April of 2022, Tanya graduated from the Virginia Master Naturalist program and is the chair of the Outreach Committee for VMN’s Banshee Reeks chapter.

    In her free time, she loves cutting and removing non-native invasive plants, being in nature with her two boxers (dogs), and is enjoying the journey of first time horse ownership.

  • Olivia LoBalbo

    CHAIR OF THE BOARD

    Olivia is the founder and president of Animal Education Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.) and has been a supporter of Tanya's mission since early on.

    She is a permitted rehabber for reptiles, songbirds, raptors, rabies vector species, and other native Virginia wildlife.

  • Bill Crisp

    BOARD MEMBER

    Bill is an avid herpetologist and licensed wildlife control operator in Virginia. Bill has been working with snakes and other reptiles for over 30 years, including venomous and large constrictor species. Bill is an approved instructor for the AES Venomous Snake Safety certification program located in Denver Colorado.

    Bill is co-owner of K2C Wildlife Encounters, LLC that was established in 2021 with a focus on helping communities cohabitate with local wildlife thru means of education. Before starting up K2C Wildlife Encounters, LLC, Bill owned a small reptile business (Crisp B Creatures), providing birthday parties, educational demos, reptile rehoming and breeding some non-native snake and lizard species. 

    Bill stays activity involved in surrounding communities and loves promoting awareness about the importance of local reptile species and other wildlife.

    Outside of the local community, Bill is licensed as a wildlife control operator in the US Virgin Islands where he visits the island of St. Croix doing research and volunteer work related to the Red Tail Boa. Bill works closely with island biologists and the Dept. of Island Planning and Resources to find ways to limit the reproduction of this invasive boa species.