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Marine Turtle ConservationDedicated to the Protection and the Conservation of Endangered Marine Turtles for the last 32 Years! Volunteer for a Minimum of $400 a Month for Accommodations! |
~ Newsletter No. 270, August 2024 ~
Hola Volunteers and Supporters –
Heading into Our Busiest Nesting Time of the Year
As we approach the true peak of nesting season, the beach is about to become even more lively with activity. This period is crucial for the turtles, and we want to ensure the beach is as safe as possible for them.
Here are a few keyways that we can all help make the beach safer for nesting turtles:
• Keep lights off near the beach: Artificial lights can disorient both nesting turtles and hatchlings. If you must use a light, use a red filter or dim it as much as possible.
• Remove beach furniture at night: Items left on the beach, such as chairs and umbrellas, can obstruct a turtle’s path to a suitable nesting site.
• Clean up trash: Litter on the beach can entangle turtles or washout and be mistaken for food, posing a serious threat to their health.
If you encounter a nesting turtle:
• Keep your distance & allow her space to nest: Stay at least 20 feet away and remain quiet. Sudden movements or loud noises can scare the turtle back into the ocean before she has a chance to nest. Both suggested by the SEMARNAT guidelines.
• Do not shine lights on her: This can cause distress and disrupt the nesting process.
Your support is essential in protecting these incredible creatures during this critical time. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a safe environment for both the turtles and their hatchlings.
Guidelines for a Safe Hatchling Journey
As hatchlings continue to emerge from their nests, please remember these important guidelines:
• Keep the beach dark: Bright lights can disorient the hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean and towards danger.
• Do not assist the hatchlings to the ocean: While it may seem helpful, hatchlings need to make the journey on their own to build the strength needed for survival in the ocean. Assisting them can also disrupt the natural imprinting process, which is crucial for their return to the same beach as adults.
• Fill in beach holes: Deep holes left in the sand can become traps for hatchlings. (Please fill in any deep holes you see or make when leaving the beach.)
The ATV Dilemma: Challenges and Determination
Finding a mechanic for our ATV has turned into quite a chore. Over the past five weeks, we’ve contacted six mechanics, and unfortunately, none have been able to assist us so far. We thought our last resort was to have the ATV picked up and sent to Puerto Vallarta to the dealer, for an indefinite period, with hopes that it would be repaired and returned to us in working condition. Upon making an appointment in person, directly with the dealer, when we called to re-confirm the appointment, it had already been cancelled. Despite these setbacks, our dedicated volunteers have stepped up in a big way. They’ve been walking the beach every night, rain or stars (quite a lot of rain, actually), carrying more and more nests to safety. Poaching remains a concern, but we’re hopeful that our luck will turn around soon, and we’ll have our ATV back in action. Our first nursery nests will be hatching very soon, and we’ll see the results of our hard work as we witness the hatchlings making their way to the sea.
Finding a mechanic for our ATV has turned into quite a chore. Over the past five weeks, we’ve contacted six mechanics, and unfortunately, none have been able to assist us so far. We thought our last resort was to have the ATV picked up and sent to Puerto Vallarta to the dealer, for an indefinite period, with hopes that it would be repaired and returned to us in working condition. Upon making an appointment in person, directly with the dealer, when we called to re-confirm the appointment, it had already been cancelled. Despite these setbacks, our dedicated volunteers have stepped up in a big way. They’ve been walking the beach every night, rain or stars (quite a lot of rain, actually), carrying more and more nests to safety. Poaching remains a concern, but we’re hopeful that our luck will turn around soon, and we’ll have our ATV back in action. Our first nursery nests will be hatching very soon, and we’ll see the results of our hard work as we witness the hatchlings making their way to the sea.
Click [HERE] to see our volunteers coming together to get the work done. Buckets are carried by hand to the buggy.
Welcome to Our New Volunteers and Team Members
We’re thrilled to welcome a new group of local volunteers and residents to our camp. Special thanks to Katherine Lewis, Maryel Noé, Valeria Guadalupe Rodríguez Encarnación, Shari Cruz, and Rhurr Herrera for joining us from the community. Thanks to our short-term volunteers, Luis Arturo, Chloe Stephenson, Fred Kavanagh, Amanda, Eyal Dechter, and Lindsi Stevens and family. We’re also excited to introduce our turtle camp volunteers: Mishtu Tiwary from the UK and Clara Serrano from Brazil. Your dedication is greatly appreciated, and we’re excited to have you on board.
Our committed long-term volunteers, Frank, Steve, Nick, Karen, Hallie, Ulises, Deanna, Odette, Augustine, and Kristen, continue to make incredible contributions to our efforts.
We’re thrilled to welcome a new group of local volunteers and residents to our camp. Special thanks to Katherine Lewis, Maryel Noé, Valeria Guadalupe Rodríguez Encarnación, Shari Cruz, and Rhurr Herrera for joining us from the community. Thanks to our short-term volunteers, Luis Arturo, Chloe Stephenson, Fred Kavanagh, Amanda, Eyal Dechter, and Lindsi Stevens and family. We’re also excited to introduce our turtle camp volunteers: Mishtu Tiwary from the UK and Clara Serrano from Brazil. Your dedication is greatly appreciated, and we’re excited to have you on board.
Our committed long-term volunteers, Frank, Steve, Nick, Karen, Hallie, Ulises, Deanna, Odette, Augustine, and Kristen, continue to make incredible contributions to our efforts.
Volunteer Accommodation Update
We’re excited to announce that we currently have space available for volunteers during the month of September! If you’ve been considering joining us for a hands-on experience in conservation, now is the perfect time. Please note that our volunteer accommodations are fully booked for the month of October. However, if you would still like to volunteer with us during October, we’d be happy to provide you with a list of off-campus housing options.
We’re excited to announce that we currently have space available for volunteers during the month of September! If you’ve been considering joining us for a hands-on experience in conservation, now is the perfect time. Please note that our volunteer accommodations are fully booked for the month of October. However, if you would still like to volunteer with us during October, we’d be happy to provide you with a list of off-campus housing options.
Gratitude for Our Generous Donors
A big thank you to this month’s donors: Randall Collins, Barbara Meister, Rush Strong, Ana Cosio, Jocelyne Prepetit, Nathaly Warner, Bernard Barbour with gaflatfeelisitings, Lindsi Stevens, Eyal Dechter, Mishtu Tiwary, Yoh Suzuki, and Trish Schmidt. Your generous contributions have covered the costs of printing our data forms, nest bags, nursery rent, welding the dune buggy, and some much-needed parts for the dune buggy. The remainder of your donations will help fund our ATV repairs (wish us luck that the mechanic shows up tomorrow).
As we continue our mission, we’re still fundraising for the ATV repairs, beach nursery supplies, and new tables for mixing sand and loading nests. The current sand mixing table is no longer securely attached to its legs, making it difficult to use.
A big thank you to this month’s donors: Randall Collins, Barbara Meister, Rush Strong, Ana Cosio, Jocelyne Prepetit, Nathaly Warner, Bernard Barbour with gaflatfeelisitings, Lindsi Stevens, Eyal Dechter, Mishtu Tiwary, Yoh Suzuki, and Trish Schmidt. Your generous contributions have covered the costs of printing our data forms, nest bags, nursery rent, welding the dune buggy, and some much-needed parts for the dune buggy. The remainder of your donations will help fund our ATV repairs (wish us luck that the mechanic shows up tomorrow).
As we continue our mission, we’re still fundraising for the ATV repairs, beach nursery supplies, and new tables for mixing sand and loading nests. The current sand mixing table is no longer securely attached to its legs, making it difficult to use.
Urgent Support Needed
We are currently facing significant financial challenges due to multiple unexpected vehicle repairs and cancellations at this time. These issues have caused the cost of maintaining our nursery space to skyrocket, compounded by our rent increase, after we had already locked in the rental costs for this season’s volunteers. This year also marks the first transition to new leadership and it’s important to note that not one member of our program makes a wage - Our team is entirely driven by passion and commitment. Despite our best efforts to manage these unforeseen expenses, our resources have rapidly depleted, putting our operations at serious risk. We urgently need your support to keep our program running and protect the wildlife and ecosystems we all cherish.
Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference. Please consider contributing to sustain our mission during this critical time. Click [HERE] if you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation.
Adopt a Nest: Help Protect the Future of Sea Turtles
Our “Adopt a Nest” program continues to grow, and we’re grateful for the incredible support from the community. By adopting a nest, you contribute to the protection and care of these vulnerable creatures during their most critical stages of life.
What Does It Mean to Adopt a Nest?
When you adopt a nest, you help fund the essential work that goes into safeguarding it, including:
• Monitoring, protection, and relocation: Our team and volunteers keep a close eye on the nest, protecting it from poachers and predators. Most nests need to be moved to a safer location to ensure the hatchlings have the best chance of reaching the ocean.
• Data collection: We gather important scientific data that helps us understand and improve the survival rates of sea turtles.
What You’ll Receive as a Nest Parent:
• Personalized adoption certificate: Commemorate your contribution with a certificate bearing the details of your adopted nest.
• Nest updates: Receive an update on the progress of your nest, including when it hatches and the number of hatchlings that made it to the ocean.
• Photos: We’ll send you photos of your nest and, if possible, we include a short video of the hatchlings as they make their way into the sea.
Why Adopt a Nest?
Adopting a nest is a meaningful way to contribute to sea turtle conservation, allowing you to form a personal connection with our mission. Your support directly helps increase the chances of survival for these ancient mariners. Whether you’re adopting in honor of someone special or simply want to make a difference, your contribution will have a lasting impact. Together, we can ensure that future generations of sea turtles have a fighting chance. For more information on how to adopt a nest, please visit our website [HERE].
Update on Permit, Volunteer IDs, and Nesting Data
We are pleased to announce that we have received this year's permit and will be updating all of the volunteers' IDs soon. However, there has been a slight delay due to my computer being out of commission, as the necessary part had to be ordered from China and is expected to arrive next week. Once it's repaired, updating the IDs will be our top priority, followed by catching up on the past 2.5 weeks of nesting data entry. Stay tuned next month for a detailed breakdown of all our nesting data!
We are pleased to announce that we have received this year's permit and will be updating all of the volunteers' IDs soon. However, there has been a slight delay due to my computer being out of commission, as the necessary part had to be ordered from China and is expected to arrive next week. Once it's repaired, updating the IDs will be our top priority, followed by catching up on the past 2.5 weeks of nesting data entry. Stay tuned next month for a detailed breakdown of all our nesting data!
Weatherwise
August’s daytime temperatures ranged from the mid to high 80s, occasionally reaching the low 90s, while nighttime temperatures were in the mid to high 70s. Total rainfall for August was 8.92 inches, bringing the year-to-date total to 22.46 inches. This August’s rainfall is similar to that of August 2023, which saw 21.89 inches.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our cause. Together, we’re making a difference.
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
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Please Note that we work at Night so Morning Calls May be Missed.
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Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde
102 America Latina, San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico Tel: 311-258-4100 Email: [email protected] [email protected] |