Ashton Biodiversity Research & Preservation Institute, Inc. (ABRPI) is a non-profit 501c3 corporation headquartered at Ashton Biological Preserve. We are located between Archer and Newberry, Florida on the northern edge of the ancient Brooksville Ridge.

Founded in 1996 to preserve critical uplands habitat for the future, ABRPI is named after its founders, Ray and Pat Ashton. We are a private, non-profit conservation area and research facility located in North-central Florida.

Although we conduct research on many types of wildlife native to the region, we specialize in tortoise care. We are a major captive breeding facility for the critically endangered radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata). We are also actively involved in conservation of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), native to Florida.

We pride ourselves on conducting educational and outreach programs designed to get the public interested and involved in caring for Florida’s wonderful ecosystems.

ABRPI is not currently open to the public. Tours are given by invitation only. You must be over 18 years old to tour the facility.

Next Gopher Tortoise Workshop is September 20th-23rd