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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. 275, January 2025 ~
Hola Volunteers and Supporters –
Another Incredible Season!
The numbers are in! This past season, we successfully released approximately 49,499 hatchlings—and counting! While this is lower than last year’s 77,700, it remains an incredible achievement, especially given the unusually low nesting activity likely influenced by extreme El Niño conditions.
September was our busiest nesting month, producing roughly 20,900 hatchlings! August followed with 12,500, and October wasn’t far behind, contributing 11,150 hatchlings to the ocean.
El Niño events disrupt ocean food availability, affecting sea turtles’ health and nesting patterns. With fewer resources, many turtles may have lacked the energy to return to their usual nesting beaches. Despite this challenge, we worked tirelessly to protect every nest we could—and our efforts paid off.
Our remaining beach nests are hatching at an astonishing 88–99% success rate, keeping us busy as we continue to monitor and protect them!
The numbers are in! This past season, we successfully released approximately 49,499 hatchlings—and counting! While this is lower than last year’s 77,700, it remains an incredible achievement, especially given the unusually low nesting activity likely influenced by extreme El Niño conditions.
September was our busiest nesting month, producing roughly 20,900 hatchlings! August followed with 12,500, and October wasn’t far behind, contributing 11,150 hatchlings to the ocean.
El Niño events disrupt ocean food availability, affecting sea turtles’ health and nesting patterns. With fewer resources, many turtles may have lacked the energy to return to their usual nesting beaches. Despite this challenge, we worked tirelessly to protect every nest we could—and our efforts paid off.
Our remaining beach nests are hatching at an astonishing 88–99% success rate, keeping us busy as we continue to monitor and protect them!
A Community Effort
We’ve come such a long way from when I first arrived, when packs of dogs would chase us down the beach at night. Not too many years ago, I even witnessed the unimaginable, a mother turtle that was mauled to death on our very own shores. But thanks to the dedication of our local community and responsible dog owners—along with groups like San Pancho Animales—this season we had no real issues with dog predation. That’s a huge win for hatchling survival! We are all connected in ways we don’t even realize, and the care people show for their pets has a direct impact on protecting local wildlife.
On the scientific front, we’ve started receiving data on beach erosion and accretion—critical factors that shape sea turtle nesting habitats. Understanding these long-term changes helps us refine our conservation strategies.
Unfortunately, bird predation has become a growing concern, particularly for hatchlings emerging naturally from nests. While sea turtles have evolved to cope with predators, modern threats make survival even harder. We’re currently implementing two solutions to address this and are awaiting supplies—stay tuned for updates!
We’ve come such a long way from when I first arrived, when packs of dogs would chase us down the beach at night. Not too many years ago, I even witnessed the unimaginable, a mother turtle that was mauled to death on our very own shores. But thanks to the dedication of our local community and responsible dog owners—along with groups like San Pancho Animales—this season we had no real issues with dog predation. That’s a huge win for hatchling survival! We are all connected in ways we don’t even realize, and the care people show for their pets has a direct impact on protecting local wildlife.
On the scientific front, we’ve started receiving data on beach erosion and accretion—critical factors that shape sea turtle nesting habitats. Understanding these long-term changes helps us refine our conservation strategies.
Unfortunately, bird predation has become a growing concern, particularly for hatchlings emerging naturally from nests. While sea turtles have evolved to cope with predators, modern threats make survival even harder. We’re currently implementing two solutions to address this and are awaiting supplies—stay tuned for updates!
Behind the Scenes: Science, Sustainability & The Future
Right now, I’m in the U.S. wrapping up essential year-end legal work to ensure our nonprofit remains compliant and fully operational. I’m also analyzing this season’s data to refine our conservation strategies for next year.
On a personal note, I’m working to generate an income so I can continue living in Mexico and leading our conservation efforts next season. Like many in nonprofit conservation, financial stability is an ongoing challenge. If you have ideas or opportunities to support my work, I’d love to hear them!
Right now, I’m in the U.S. wrapping up essential year-end legal work to ensure our nonprofit remains compliant and fully operational. I’m also analyzing this season’s data to refine our conservation strategies for next year.
On a personal note, I’m working to generate an income so I can continue living in Mexico and leading our conservation efforts next season. Like many in nonprofit conservation, financial stability is an ongoing challenge. If you have ideas or opportunities to support my work, I’d love to hear them!
Gratitude for Our Volunteers
A massive thank-you to Tyler and Kiley for designing and printing our new business cards! These will help us connect with visitors and potential supporters.
A special shout-out to Nick, who closed out nesting season at turtle camp and continues to lead the team with dedication—thank you, Nick!
To our incredible local volunteers who continue to monitor nests, excavate and assess them, release trapped hatchlings, educate visitors, collect vital data, and take all of our photos: Ulises, Maryel, Maxi, Odette, Deanna, Hallie, and Karen—we appreciate you!
And a heartfelt thanks to Elvia and Steve for all of their continued behind-the-scenes work—your efforts often go unseen but are so crucial to everything we do. We couldn’t do it without each and every one of you!
A massive thank-you to Tyler and Kiley for designing and printing our new business cards! These will help us connect with visitors and potential supporters.
A special shout-out to Nick, who closed out nesting season at turtle camp and continues to lead the team with dedication—thank you, Nick!
To our incredible local volunteers who continue to monitor nests, excavate and assess them, release trapped hatchlings, educate visitors, collect vital data, and take all of our photos: Ulises, Maryel, Maxi, Odette, Deanna, Hallie, and Karen—we appreciate you!
And a heartfelt thanks to Elvia and Steve for all of their continued behind-the-scenes work—your efforts often go unseen but are so crucial to everything we do. We couldn’t do it without each and every one of you!
Get Involved!
Nesting season is approaching (May–November), and we need hands-on volunteers! Patrols, data collection, and nest protection are just a few ways you can make a real impact. Sign up now by visiting our APPLICATION PAGE or email us for a printable volunteer flyer to share in your community.
Not in Mexico? You can still help! We’re looking for local and remote volunteers to assist with:
✅ Website Design & Management
✅ Fundraising & Donor Outreach
✅ Social Media Content Creation
✅ ATV Maintenance & Repairs
✅ Volunteer Recruitment & Coordination
✅ Educational Outreach & Community Engagement
✅ Communications & Public Relations
✅ Graphic Design & Marketing
✅ Data Entry & Records Management
✅ Accounting & Financial Oversight
Interested? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to have you on board!
Nesting season is approaching (May–November), and we need hands-on volunteers! Patrols, data collection, and nest protection are just a few ways you can make a real impact. Sign up now by visiting our APPLICATION PAGE or email us for a printable volunteer flyer to share in your community.
Not in Mexico? You can still help! We’re looking for local and remote volunteers to assist with:
✅ Website Design & Management
✅ Fundraising & Donor Outreach
✅ Social Media Content Creation
✅ ATV Maintenance & Repairs
✅ Volunteer Recruitment & Coordination
✅ Educational Outreach & Community Engagement
✅ Communications & Public Relations
✅ Graphic Design & Marketing
✅ Data Entry & Records Management
✅ Accounting & Financial Oversight
Interested? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to have you on board!
Winter Rentals: Stay With Us & Support Conservation
Looking for a cozy getaway? We have winter rental availability, and 100% of proceeds go directly toward saving sea turtles! Staying with us helps fund vital supplies, equipment, and conservation efforts.
For details, contact Nick via WhatsApp: +52 322 154 0077.
Looking for a cozy getaway? We have winter rental availability, and 100% of proceeds go directly toward saving sea turtles! Staying with us helps fund vital supplies, equipment, and conservation efforts.
For details, contact Nick via WhatsApp: +52 322 154 0077.
Frank's Weather-Wise Update
January's temperatures during the day were in the mid to high 70’s°, while nighttime temps were in the low 60’s°. We received .01 inches of rain in January. Overall, the weather has been very pleasant with cold nights.
January's temperatures during the day were in the mid to high 70’s°, while nighttime temps were in the low 60’s°. We received .01 inches of rain in January. Overall, the weather has been very pleasant with cold nights.
Give a Gift That Makes a Difference This Valentine’s Day!
Looking for a meaningful gift? Adopt a sea turtle nest in honor of your special someone!
When you adopt a nest for Valentine’s Day, your loved one will receive:
❤ A personalized adoption certificate (emailed within a week)
❤ A digital photo of their hatchlings when they emerge
❤ A digital photo of the personalized nest badge marking their nest
❤ A follow-up email with success data when the nest hatches
Important: Your Valentine’s certificate arrives quickly, but your adopted nest will be placed in the nursery starting July, when nesting season begins.
Show your love with a gift that lasts a lifetime—adopt a nest today! Visit our ADOPTION PAGE to learn more.
Looking for a meaningful gift? Adopt a sea turtle nest in honor of your special someone!
When you adopt a nest for Valentine’s Day, your loved one will receive:
❤ A personalized adoption certificate (emailed within a week)
❤ A digital photo of their hatchlings when they emerge
❤ A digital photo of the personalized nest badge marking their nest
❤ A follow-up email with success data when the nest hatches
Important: Your Valentine’s certificate arrives quickly, but your adopted nest will be placed in the nursery starting July, when nesting season begins.
Show your love with a gift that lasts a lifetime—adopt a nest today! Visit our ADOPTION PAGE to learn more.
Thank You to Our January Donors!
A heartfelt thank you to Bob Cole, Helena Medina Lomeli, Claudia Kroberger, and Fay Chan for your generous support!
Your donations helped cover our 9,000-peso nursery electric bill, as we ran heaters 24/7 to keep nest temperatures stable in the final weeks of the nursery season. Your contributions also funded new conservation signage (which we’re picking up soon!) and other critical needs.
We couldn’t do this without you—thank you for being part of our mission!
Help Us Prepare for Nesting Season
Every donation—big or small—helps us purchase essential supplies and protect these incredible creatures. Some items we still need to purchase include: sand buckets, hatchling baskets, tarps, wood, shovels, gate lock, flashlights, lanyards & ID pouches, clipboards, silicone, CRV spare tire, front ball joints, ATV heat shield, sealant, generator, fans, heaters, another ATV with trailer.
If you’d like to make a U.S. tax-deductible donation, click HERE.
A heartfelt thank you to Bob Cole, Helena Medina Lomeli, Claudia Kroberger, and Fay Chan for your generous support!
Your donations helped cover our 9,000-peso nursery electric bill, as we ran heaters 24/7 to keep nest temperatures stable in the final weeks of the nursery season. Your contributions also funded new conservation signage (which we’re picking up soon!) and other critical needs.
We couldn’t do this without you—thank you for being part of our mission!
Help Us Prepare for Nesting Season
Every donation—big or small—helps us purchase essential supplies and protect these incredible creatures. Some items we still need to purchase include: sand buckets, hatchling baskets, tarps, wood, shovels, gate lock, flashlights, lanyards & ID pouches, clipboards, silicone, CRV spare tire, front ball joints, ATV heat shield, sealant, generator, fans, heaters, another ATV with trailer.
If you’d like to make a U.S. tax-deductible donation, click HERE.
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 our amazing volunteers 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 our amazing volunteers HERE.
Thank you for being part of our conservation family! See you next month!
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] |