|
Marine Turtle Conservation Dedicated to the Protection and the Conservation of Endangered Marine Turtles for the last 33 Years! |
~ Newsletter No. 282, August / September / October 2025 ~
Hola Volunteers and Supporters –
A Season at Full Speed
We’ve combined our August, September, and October newsletters into one, because the truth is we’ve barely had a moment to sit down. Nesting and hatching activity has been nonstop, and nearly all of our adopted nests have already hatched. We are very behind on sending out data updates, but please know it is because every available hand has been out on the beach with turtles. As always, we could use more help, since this work never slows during peak season. Check out our training day HERE.
We’ve combined our August, September, and October newsletters into one, because the truth is we’ve barely had a moment to sit down. Nesting and hatching activity has been nonstop, and nearly all of our adopted nests have already hatched. We are very behind on sending out data updates, but please know it is because every available hand has been out on the beach with turtles. As always, we could use more help, since this work never slows during peak season. Check out our training day HERE.
Hatchling Release Update & Nesting Boom
We have had hatchlings pouring out of the nurseries, and our biggest release night so far was an incredible eighteen baskets, which means roughly 1,800 hatchlings made their way to the ocean in just one night. Next month will be even bigger when our September nesting peak begins to hatch. To keep up with this growth we urgently need to purchase more hatchling baskets, since our current supply is no longer enough for the number of babies making their way to the sea. Did you know most of our hatchlings are actually released at night? Take a look HERE.
If you’ve followed us over the years, you’ll remember how low nesting numbers were last season after the El Niño cycle. This season has been the opposite: by the end of August, we had already recorded over twice as many nests as the same time last year. September only increased that momentum, with our greenhouse nursery filled to capacity.
We have had hatchlings pouring out of the nurseries, and our biggest release night so far was an incredible eighteen baskets, which means roughly 1,800 hatchlings made their way to the ocean in just one night. Next month will be even bigger when our September nesting peak begins to hatch. To keep up with this growth we urgently need to purchase more hatchling baskets, since our current supply is no longer enough for the number of babies making their way to the sea. Did you know most of our hatchlings are actually released at night? Take a look HERE.
If you’ve followed us over the years, you’ll remember how low nesting numbers were last season after the El Niño cycle. This season has been the opposite: by the end of August, we had already recorded over twice as many nests as the same time last year. September only increased that momentum, with our greenhouse nursery filled to capacity.
Overflow Nurseries on the Beach
With so many nests this season, we reintroduced beach nurseries for the first time in many years. By September, we had two up and running in carefully chosen areas known for their high hatch success rates.
Our first beach nursery has already finished hatching and has now been removed. We were a little worried about how all the rain might affect success as hatching began, but it didn’t slow the turtles down one bit. Hatch rates have been incredibly strong overall, ranging between 80 and 97 percent, with only two nests between 60 and 70 percent. Even better, our second beach nursery just gave us its first 100 percent successful nest. Take a peak inside our beach nursery HERE.
Huge thanks go out to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly in the sun to secure these sites and to our amazing hosts Patricia and Lalo Pérez Arce, Bob Dorazio, and Casa Tres Amigas for opening their beachfront spaces to help protect the next generation of turtles.
With so many nests this season, we reintroduced beach nurseries for the first time in many years. By September, we had two up and running in carefully chosen areas known for their high hatch success rates.
Our first beach nursery has already finished hatching and has now been removed. We were a little worried about how all the rain might affect success as hatching began, but it didn’t slow the turtles down one bit. Hatch rates have been incredibly strong overall, ranging between 80 and 97 percent, with only two nests between 60 and 70 percent. Even better, our second beach nursery just gave us its first 100 percent successful nest. Take a peak inside our beach nursery HERE.
Huge thanks go out to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly in the sun to secure these sites and to our amazing hosts Patricia and Lalo Pérez Arce, Bob Dorazio, and Casa Tres Amigas for opening their beachfront spaces to help protect the next generation of turtles.
Scouts at Turtle Camp
For the second year running, we welcomed scouts from Grupo Scout Hacienda Real Tonalli, Grupo 7 Impessa (Lerdo, Dgo.), and Grupo Cihualpilli (Tonala, Jal.). Their visit included nursery tours, demos, Q&A, crafts, and even a turtle art print raffle. Their energy was contagious, and they’ve already confirmed they’ll be back next year. Check out a short video including the event English HERE, Spanish HERE.
For the second year running, we welcomed scouts from Grupo Scout Hacienda Real Tonalli, Grupo 7 Impessa (Lerdo, Dgo.), and Grupo Cihualpilli (Tonala, Jal.). Their visit included nursery tours, demos, Q&A, crafts, and even a turtle art print raffle. Their energy was contagious, and they’ve already confirmed they’ll be back next year. Check out a short video including the event English HERE, Spanish HERE.
Funding the Mission
July was our biggest donation month this year, but donations slowed in August and September just as costs peaked with building nurseries, repairing the CanAm, and covering payments on our new ATV. Add in fuel, maintenance, and supplies, and we’ve had to cut back on planned research lab processing for beach studies.
We are still short on wishlist items like flashlights and thermometers.
If you’d like to help:
• Support our ATV fund via GoFundMe.
• Contribute to day-to-day operations via PayPal or Venmo.
We are sincerely grateful to our recurring donors — Bob Cole, Janice Teal, Claudia Kroberger, and Fay Chan — whose ongoing support sustains our work month after month.
Our heartfelt thanks also go out to our August, September, and October donors — Paul Sayles, Darcie Daniels, Ronald Walsh, Barbara Meister, Patricia Schmidt, Guillermo Jorge Palacios Díaz, Richard Spotts, Amy Shoptaugh, Jaime Uriarte, Larissa Nowak, Patricia Perez-Arce, Maralyn Ditlevson, Keli Tiffany, John Marriott, Darren Cox, Punchy Society, Scott Schoenberger, Paula Branson, Kiley Branson, Patricia Schmidt, and Alexandre Mulliez — for their generous contributions during these busy months.
Finally, a very special thank-you to Tim and Amy Schmidt, our largest donors over the past three months, for their outstanding generosity and continued belief in our mission.
July was our biggest donation month this year, but donations slowed in August and September just as costs peaked with building nurseries, repairing the CanAm, and covering payments on our new ATV. Add in fuel, maintenance, and supplies, and we’ve had to cut back on planned research lab processing for beach studies.
We are still short on wishlist items like flashlights and thermometers.
If you’d like to help:
• Support our ATV fund via GoFundMe.
• Contribute to day-to-day operations via PayPal or Venmo.
We are sincerely grateful to our recurring donors — Bob Cole, Janice Teal, Claudia Kroberger, and Fay Chan — whose ongoing support sustains our work month after month.
Our heartfelt thanks also go out to our August, September, and October donors — Paul Sayles, Darcie Daniels, Ronald Walsh, Barbara Meister, Patricia Schmidt, Guillermo Jorge Palacios Díaz, Richard Spotts, Amy Shoptaugh, Jaime Uriarte, Larissa Nowak, Patricia Perez-Arce, Maralyn Ditlevson, Keli Tiffany, John Marriott, Darren Cox, Punchy Society, Scott Schoenberger, Paula Branson, Kiley Branson, Patricia Schmidt, and Alexandre Mulliez — for their generous contributions during these busy months.
Finally, a very special thank-you to Tim and Amy Schmidt, our largest donors over the past three months, for their outstanding generosity and continued belief in our mission.
Volunteers – The Heart of It All
None of this happens without our volunteers. Thank you to Nick Sanders (UK), Hallie Loveridge (USA), Karen Sorem (USA), Dee Covington (USA), Trish Schmidt (USA), Ulises Ledesma González (México), Maryel Noé (México), Elvia García (México), Adriana Pliego (México), Kevin Abdale (UK) Alex Sage (USA), Lola Tiffany (USA), Cat Reed (USA), Jen Teal (México), Travis Laurendine (USA), Jody and Brad Gorski (Canada), Chito - Ignacio Maldonado Alegría. (México), Marcos Pérez Maldonado (México), Kiley Branson (USA), Víctor Rodríguez Arias (México), María Fernanda García Téllez (México), Eric and Lisa Pingrey (USA), Camila Moreno (México), Augustine Botha (South Africa), Annie and Elmarie Botha (South Africa), Yannis Botha (South Africa), Natalia Mendez (México), Jagger (México), Nene (México), Gerry Silva (México), Checko (México), Jicela (México), Anjie, Darby (USA), Tess Wimer (USA), Lazlo (USA), Malinali Brito Pastrana (México), Jessie Powell (USA), Nicole Rivera (USA), Karin & Sid Sharma (USA), Kathy & Greg Crowell (USA), Syreeta Bernal (USA), Bryan Fenchel (USA), Ksenia Kheylman (USA), Jacob, Melanie & Emily Fujikawa (USA), Kathinka Bing (Germany), Gerardo Heruert Azuara (México), David Ramos Menjivar (México), Dainniz Palomares Muñoz (México), Edith (México), Marifer (México), Oscar (México), Julio Leon Sánchez (México), and other local friends for being on the ground during these demanding weeks.
With teary eyes we said “see you later” to our very long-time volunteer Deanna Covington, whose dedication has been the backbone of our public release table, night patrols, and event organizing. Her steady presence will be deeply missed, and we look forward to her return visits.
We are always looking for more hands—both daytime help and nighttime patrols. Please reach out if you’d like to join.
None of this happens without our volunteers. Thank you to Nick Sanders (UK), Hallie Loveridge (USA), Karen Sorem (USA), Dee Covington (USA), Trish Schmidt (USA), Ulises Ledesma González (México), Maryel Noé (México), Elvia García (México), Adriana Pliego (México), Kevin Abdale (UK) Alex Sage (USA), Lola Tiffany (USA), Cat Reed (USA), Jen Teal (México), Travis Laurendine (USA), Jody and Brad Gorski (Canada), Chito - Ignacio Maldonado Alegría. (México), Marcos Pérez Maldonado (México), Kiley Branson (USA), Víctor Rodríguez Arias (México), María Fernanda García Téllez (México), Eric and Lisa Pingrey (USA), Camila Moreno (México), Augustine Botha (South Africa), Annie and Elmarie Botha (South Africa), Yannis Botha (South Africa), Natalia Mendez (México), Jagger (México), Nene (México), Gerry Silva (México), Checko (México), Jicela (México), Anjie, Darby (USA), Tess Wimer (USA), Lazlo (USA), Malinali Brito Pastrana (México), Jessie Powell (USA), Nicole Rivera (USA), Karin & Sid Sharma (USA), Kathy & Greg Crowell (USA), Syreeta Bernal (USA), Bryan Fenchel (USA), Ksenia Kheylman (USA), Jacob, Melanie & Emily Fujikawa (USA), Kathinka Bing (Germany), Gerardo Heruert Azuara (México), David Ramos Menjivar (México), Dainniz Palomares Muñoz (México), Edith (México), Marifer (México), Oscar (México), Julio Leon Sánchez (México), and other local friends for being on the ground during these demanding weeks.
With teary eyes we said “see you later” to our very long-time volunteer Deanna Covington, whose dedication has been the backbone of our public release table, night patrols, and event organizing. Her steady presence will be deeply missed, and we look forward to her return visits.
We are always looking for more hands—both daytime help and nighttime patrols. Please reach out if you’d like to join.
Passing the Torch – Honoring Frank
This season also marks a big transition. Frank, who has lived full-time in turtle camp for years, has moved out, passing the torch to a new generation of volunteers. Frank’s legacy cannot be overstated. When he began in 1991, there were just two hundred nests, of which only twelve were protected from poachers and dogs. Today, thanks in large part to his tireless efforts and the community conservation education initiated, poaching has plummeted and now hovers around three percent, and we now safeguard up to 1,400 nests per year.
Thanks to Frank, we now face different challenges, like coastal squeeze, climate change, artificial lighting, and marine debris instead of rampant poaching. Frank still lives in town, and anyone wanting to visit or ask questions about turtles in San Pancho is welcome to reach out to him. He continues to contribute by writing the Weatherwise section of our newsletter and is more than willing to share his knowledge as the foremost expert on San Pancho’s marine turtle population.
Frank has shown us what is possible when dedication and persistence meet conservation. His work has restored this population and inspired countless volunteers and biologists including myself along the way. We carry his legacy forward with deep gratitude and pride.
This season also marks a big transition. Frank, who has lived full-time in turtle camp for years, has moved out, passing the torch to a new generation of volunteers. Frank’s legacy cannot be overstated. When he began in 1991, there were just two hundred nests, of which only twelve were protected from poachers and dogs. Today, thanks in large part to his tireless efforts and the community conservation education initiated, poaching has plummeted and now hovers around three percent, and we now safeguard up to 1,400 nests per year.
Thanks to Frank, we now face different challenges, like coastal squeeze, climate change, artificial lighting, and marine debris instead of rampant poaching. Frank still lives in town, and anyone wanting to visit or ask questions about turtles in San Pancho is welcome to reach out to him. He continues to contribute by writing the Weatherwise section of our newsletter and is more than willing to share his knowledge as the foremost expert on San Pancho’s marine turtle population.
Frank has shown us what is possible when dedication and persistence meet conservation. His work has restored this population and inspired countless volunteers and biologists including myself along the way. We carry his legacy forward with deep gratitude and pride.
Frank’s Weatherwise ☀🌧🌊
August brought daytime highs in the mid to high 80s°F and nights in the mid to high 70s°F, with cloudy, hot days and 5.10 inches of rain. By the end of August, the year’s rainfall total was 34.09 inches.
September temperatures during the day were in the mid 80’s°F, while nighttime temps were in the mid to high 70s°F, cloudy warm days but unusually cold nights. 16.33 inches of rain in September, and for the year, rainfall came to 50.77 inches.
October temperatures during the day were in the mid 80’s°F, while nighttime temps were in the low 70s°F. No rain in October, keeping the year's total at 50.77 inches.
August brought daytime highs in the mid to high 80s°F and nights in the mid to high 70s°F, with cloudy, hot days and 5.10 inches of rain. By the end of August, the year’s rainfall total was 34.09 inches.
September temperatures during the day were in the mid 80’s°F, while nighttime temps were in the mid to high 70s°F, cloudy warm days but unusually cold nights. 16.33 inches of rain in September, and for the year, rainfall came to 50.77 inches.
October temperatures during the day were in the mid 80’s°F, while nighttime temps were in the low 70s°F. No rain in October, keeping the year's total at 50.77 inches.
This month's photos are compliments of all of our volunteers.
Want to Help?
Every contribution helps us continue our mission. Please consider volunteering, donating or checking out our wish lists:
Volunteer Here
Donate via PayPal
Donate via Venmo
GoFundMe
Amazon US Wishlist HERE
Amazon MX Wishlist HERE
Donors from the U.S. can make a meaningful impact and receive a tax deduction, thanks to our nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status. Thank you to everyone who helps make this work possible!
Every contribution helps us continue our mission. Please consider volunteering, donating or checking out our wish lists:
Volunteer Here
Donate via PayPal
Donate via Venmo
GoFundMe
Amazon US Wishlist HERE
Amazon MX Wishlist HERE
Donors from the U.S. can make a meaningful impact and receive a tax deduction, thanks to our nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status. Thank you to everyone who helps make this work possible!
Follow Us
If you’re looking to stay updated on our future work and impact, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
When we act together, even the smallest steps lead to a brighter future for our turtles. Thank you for walking beside us.
If you’re looking to stay updated on our future work and impact, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
When we act together, even the smallest steps lead to a brighter future for our turtles. Thank you for walking beside us.
Jessica Schmidt, Director
Frank Smith, Technical Advisor
Elvia García, Secretary
Karen Sorum, Treasurer
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Our email addresses are: [email protected] and [email protected]
Our website is: https://www.project-tortuga.org/
Our Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/projecttortugasanpancho/
For new volunteers: https://www.project-tortuga.org/handbook.html
Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectTortuga
Contributions: https://www.project-tortuga.org/contribute.html
Adopt A Nest: https://www.project-tortuga.org/adopt-a-nest.html
Unsubscribe
Jessica Schmidt, Director
Frank Smith, Technical Advisor
Elvia García, Secretary
Karen Sorum, Treasurer
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Our email addresses are: [email protected] and [email protected]
Our website is: https://www.project-tortuga.org/
Our Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/projecttortugasanpancho/
For new volunteers: https://www.project-tortuga.org/handbook.html
Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectTortuga
Contributions: https://www.project-tortuga.org/contribute.html
Adopt A Nest: https://www.project-tortuga.org/adopt-a-nest.html
Unsubscribe
Visit our PayPal page HERE
Come Visit our Turtle Nursery!
Call in advance so we can prepare for your visit!
Please Note that we work at Night so Morning Calls May be Missed.
|
Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde
102 America Latina, San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico Tel: +1 262 497 6671 Email: [email protected] [email protected] |