The Gopher Tortoise Council's mission is to provide professional advice for the management, conservation, and protection of gopher tortoises; encourage the study of their life history, ecology, behavior, physiology, and management; conduct public information and conservation education programs; and seek effective protection of the gopher tortoise and other upland species in the southeastern United States.
The Donna J. Heinrich Environmental Education Grant is designed to fund educational projects focused on the gopher tortoise and its environment. It supports educators and organizations passionate about wildlife conservation, particularly that of the gopher tortoise. This grant celebrates the legacy of Donna June Heinrich, an environmental educator dedicated to wildlife conservation and habitat protection, aiming to further her mission by spreading awareness and knowledge about these species and their habitats.