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Marine Turtle Conservation Dedicated to the Protection and the Conservation of Endangered Marine Turtles for the last 33 Years! |
~ Newsletter No. 274, December 2024 ~
Hola Volunteers and Supporters –
This season, we celebrated the 33rd anniversary of our program, reaching an incredible milestone with the release of over 1.75 million hatchlings. I am truly proud to be part of this amazing organization and deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.
2024 Nesting Season Stats
This season, we recorded 710 sea turtle nests, a substantial drop from last year’s 1,120 nests. While natural fluctuations are expected, studies suggest that environmental factors such as the extreme El Niño event of 2023-2024 may play a significant role. Research published in Marine Ecology Progress Series and Climate Change Biology indicates that El Niño disrupts oceanic currents and food availability, impacting sea turtle migration and nesting cycles. Warmer water temperatures and altered prey distribution can delay or even prevent turtles from nesting, contributing to declines like the one we experienced this season.
Of the nests recorded this year:
• 539 nests were safely incubated in our nursery
• 92 nests were relocated to safer sections of the beach
• Unfortunately, 79 nests were either poached or taken by another conservation group working on the beach
The presence of another group relocating nests this season has created challenges in maintaining accurate data. Nests can be miscounted, double-counted, relocated without documentation, or entirely unreported. This introduces inconsistencies in our ability to track trends over time, evaluate the success of conservation efforts, and accurately assess the results of specific experiments. Despite these hurdles, our team remains dedicated to protecting as many nests as possible and ensuring the data we collect is as precise as circumstances allow. Keep an eye out for our January newsletter, where we’ll provide a more in-depth report, including total hatchling count, updated findings, and trends from this year’s efforts.
2024 Nesting Season Stats
This season, we recorded 710 sea turtle nests, a substantial drop from last year’s 1,120 nests. While natural fluctuations are expected, studies suggest that environmental factors such as the extreme El Niño event of 2023-2024 may play a significant role. Research published in Marine Ecology Progress Series and Climate Change Biology indicates that El Niño disrupts oceanic currents and food availability, impacting sea turtle migration and nesting cycles. Warmer water temperatures and altered prey distribution can delay or even prevent turtles from nesting, contributing to declines like the one we experienced this season.
Of the nests recorded this year:
• 539 nests were safely incubated in our nursery
• 92 nests were relocated to safer sections of the beach
• Unfortunately, 79 nests were either poached or taken by another conservation group working on the beach
The presence of another group relocating nests this season has created challenges in maintaining accurate data. Nests can be miscounted, double-counted, relocated without documentation, or entirely unreported. This introduces inconsistencies in our ability to track trends over time, evaluate the success of conservation efforts, and accurately assess the results of specific experiments. Despite these hurdles, our team remains dedicated to protecting as many nests as possible and ensuring the data we collect is as precise as circumstances allow. Keep an eye out for our January newsletter, where we’ll provide a more in-depth report, including total hatchling count, updated findings, and trends from this year’s efforts.
Over 250 Thousand Pounds of Sand Moved (and Recycled!)
Our volunteers have been incredibly busy this season, moving sand, protecting sea turtle nests, and ensuring the nursery was in top shape. Here’s a breakdown of the remarkable work done from May through December:
• Total Weight Moved: approximately 254,126 pounds of sand! This included dry sand transported from the beach to the nursery to create ideal nesting conditions for every sea turtle nest. After nesting, damp sand was rotated through the nursery within nests, ensuring the eggs had the best environment for development. Once the sand’s job was done, it was all returned to the beach, completing a full sand cycle that helped maintain the beach’s natural habitat.
Our volunteers have been incredibly busy this season, moving sand, protecting sea turtle nests, and ensuring the nursery was in top shape. Here’s a breakdown of the remarkable work done from May through December:
• Total Weight Moved: approximately 254,126 pounds of sand! This included dry sand transported from the beach to the nursery to create ideal nesting conditions for every sea turtle nest. After nesting, damp sand was rotated through the nursery within nests, ensuring the eggs had the best environment for development. Once the sand’s job was done, it was all returned to the beach, completing a full sand cycle that helped maintain the beach’s natural habitat.
Volunteer Miles Traveled
While all this sand was being moved, our volunteers were also patrolling the beach each night to ensure everything was in order. Here’s approximately how far they traveled:
• June 1st - July 21st: Twice per night across the beach -- Total miles: 102 miles
• July 22nd - September 21st: Six crossings per night (On Foot!) -- Total miles: 372 miles
• September 22nd - November 25th: Fifteen crossings per night (Yay ATV!) -- Total miles: 975 miles
• November 26th - December 5th: Three crossings per night -- Total miles: 30 miles
• December 6th - December 15th: One crossing per night -- Total miles: 10 miles
Total miles patrolled from June 1st to December 15th: 1,489 miles—is further than the distance traveling between New York City and Miami!
While all this sand was being moved, our volunteers were also patrolling the beach each night to ensure everything was in order. Here’s approximately how far they traveled:
• June 1st - July 21st: Twice per night across the beach -- Total miles: 102 miles
• July 22nd - September 21st: Six crossings per night (On Foot!) -- Total miles: 372 miles
• September 22nd - November 25th: Fifteen crossings per night (Yay ATV!) -- Total miles: 975 miles
• November 26th - December 5th: Three crossings per night -- Total miles: 30 miles
• December 6th - December 15th: One crossing per night -- Total miles: 10 miles
Total miles patrolled from June 1st to December 15th: 1,489 miles—is further than the distance traveling between New York City and Miami!
Thank You to Our Volunteers and Donors
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who contributed to this season’s success! From patrolling the beaches to managing hatchling releases, assisting with social media, mechanics, and more, your dedication kept us going.
Special thanks to our December volunteers: Elvia, Steve, Nick, Karen, Hallie, Ulises, Deanna, Odette, Maryel, Trish, Maxi, Kiley, Tyler, Dave, Dale, Francisco, Juan Carlos, Karl, and Frank.
To our donors: We are so grateful for your support. Whether you adopted nests, donated supplies, or made monetary contributions, your generosity allowed us to overcome challenges and protect thousands of hatchlings. We are especially thankful for this month’s donors: Meredith Hardin, Tania Brightman, San Pancho Rentals & Real Estate, Dana Shemorry, Bob Cole, Kerry McCoy, Daniel Fried, Sara Finnegan-Doyon, Mckenzie Nelson, Nick Sanders, Timothy Capley, Elissa Teel-Duggan, and to the many others who donated during a nursery visit or hatchling release.
This month’s generous donations have allowed us to make crucial repairs and replacements to our work vehicles, including new tires. They’ve also helped cover gas and maintenance costs for our beach vehicles. We are still in need of replacing the ATV exhaust and addressing a potential battery issue. In addition, your support has covered printing expenses, as our group’s printer is currently down. We’ve also been able to hire an electrician to address lighting issues and begin an assessment of the nursery’s electrical system, including the heaters and their electrical needs.
For 2025, We’re Seeking Funding for:
• Backup heaters, a generator (to manage power outages/brownouts), and nursery rewiring
• ATV repairs and a second ATV to ensure full beach coverage
• General operational supplies for patrols, the nursery, and educational outreach
Our donations usually drop off after our nursery nests all hatch, but our work doesn’t stop. We’re still checking beach nests, planning, repairing, and preparing for the next season. Your support keeps us going—please consider donating HERE.
Volunteer with Us in 2025
We’re now accepting volunteers for the May–November 2025 season! Joining our team is a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation while experiencing San Pancho’s vibrant community. Visit our WEBSITE to learn more, watch volunteer videos, and apply. Together, we can continue protecting San Pancho’s sea turtles!
We’re now accepting volunteers for the May–November 2025 season! Joining our team is a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation while experiencing San Pancho’s vibrant community. Visit our WEBSITE to learn more, watch volunteer videos, and apply. Together, we can continue protecting San Pancho’s sea turtles!
Help Spread the Word
You can help us recruit more volunteers by sharing our flyer in your area. Email us at [email protected] to request a PDF copy. Hanging flyers in your local shops, libraries, and community centers helps us find passionate individuals to join the team!
Thank you for another incredible season. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in 2025!
You can help us recruit more volunteers by sharing our flyer in your area. Email us at [email protected] to request a PDF copy. Hanging flyers in your local shops, libraries, and community centers helps us find passionate individuals to join the team!
Thank you for another incredible season. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in 2025!
Frank's Weather Wise Update
December daytime temperatures ranged from the low 80s to the mid-70s, while nighttime temperatures ranged from the low to high 60s. We received 0.02 inches of rain in December, and a total of 45.61 inches for the entire year. Overall, the weather has been very pleasant.
December daytime temperatures ranged from the low 80s to the mid-70s, while nighttime temperatures ranged from the low to high 60s. We received 0.02 inches of rain in December, and a total of 45.61 inches for the entire year. Overall, the weather has been very pleasant.
Support Sea Turtle Conservation by Booking a Stay
We are excited to announce that we have rental spaces available starting February 15th and March 1st! By booking a stay with us, you’ll not only enjoy a unique experience in beautiful San Pancho, but you’ll also be supporting sea turtle conservation. All proceeds from our rentals directly contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect and care for sea turtles in our area, including nest monitoring, hatchling releases, and beach patrols. To learn more or make a reservation, please contact Nick via WhatsApp at +52 322 154 0077. Your stay helps make a difference for these incredible creatures!
We are excited to announce that we have rental spaces available starting February 15th and March 1st! By booking a stay with us, you’ll not only enjoy a unique experience in beautiful San Pancho, but you’ll also be supporting sea turtle conservation. All proceeds from our rentals directly contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect and care for sea turtles in our area, including nest monitoring, hatchling releases, and beach patrols. To learn more or make a reservation, please contact Nick via WhatsApp at +52 322 154 0077. Your stay helps make a difference for these incredible creatures!
Follow Us
• If you’re looking to stay updated on our future work and impact, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Check out our post about the fun of helping test a thermal drone to locate nests HERE.
• If you’re looking to stay updated on our future work and impact, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Check out our post about the fun of helping test a thermal drone to locate nests HERE.
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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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.
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Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde
102 America Latina, San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico Tel: +1 262 497 6671 Email: [email protected] [email protected] |