Freshwater and terrestrial turtles are among the most imperiled biota on the planet, with nearly half of all extant taxa threatened with extinction. Active science-based management is required for the persistence of many species. Evolutionary genetic principles are often overlooked in the development of conservation and management plans, yet genetic data and theory can be critical to program success. Conservation biologists are encouraged to consider using genetic data and concepts when developing conservation strategies for turtles. We identify general areas where genetic principles and empirical data can be profitably used in conservation planning and provide examples from the turtle literature. Finally, we suggest important areas for future research in chelonian conservation genetics.