|
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. 268, June, 2024 ~
Hola Volunteers and Supporters –
Sea Turtle Nesting Season is Here!
The much-anticipated sea turtle nesting season has officially begun! Our dedicated team is patrolling the beach every night, rain or stars, ensuring the safety and well-being of our nesting mothers and their hatchlings. We kindly remind everyone to keep the beach dark during this crucial time to prevent disorientation of the turtles. House lights, white flashlights, and camera flashes can disturb these beautiful creatures, so please be mindful.
Honoring Wallace J. Nichols: A Pioneering Force in Marine Turtle Conservation
In the early months of 1994, Grupo Ecológico embarked on a mission to recruit summer volunteers. Thanks to the efforts of one of our dedicated members, Judith Anderson, we connected with a passionate group of students at the University of Arizona, then known as the Coastal Conservation Foundation (CCF).
Led by Dan Dasse, the spokesperson for CCF, and in collaboration with members of Grupo Ecológico, we crafted a comprehensive working plan for the upcoming summers. The CCF team at that time included Dan W. Dasse, Chris Lockwood, Patricia Stern, Jeffrey A. Seminoff, and Wallace J. Nichols.
Both Wallace and Jeffrey went on to earn their PhDs, emerging as the foremost leaders in marine turtle conservation worldwide. It was with immense pride and honor that we enlisted them as volunteers in our early marine turtle program. Tragically, Wallace passed away on June 10, 2024, but his legacy in marine conservation remains unparalleled.
To learn more about Wallace J. Nichols and Jeffrey Seminoff, please see the following links. (Wallace J. Nichols and Jeffrey Seminoff)
Wallace third from left - Jeffery second from the right (back row)
Wallace fifth from the left - Jeffery third from the right
Wallace cleaning nest.
Riverbed Cleanup Efforts
Elvia has been leading the charge in the riverbed cleanup every Saturday at 8 am. The fantastic volunteers have removed an impressive amount of garbage from the riverbed, preventing it from being washed into the ocean with the rains. Through their hard work, they’ve also been educating the community on the importance of proper waste disposal. We are so proud of their efforts and the significant positive impact they are making.
Elvia has been leading the charge in the riverbed cleanup every Saturday at 8 am. The fantastic volunteers have removed an impressive amount of garbage from the riverbed, preventing it from being washed into the ocean with the rains. Through their hard work, they’ve also been educating the community on the importance of proper waste disposal. We are so proud of their efforts and the significant positive impact they are making.
Donation Call: Special Rates on PayPal Fees
Great news! PayPal has confirmed our charity status, granting us special rates on all fees. As the nesting season kicks off, we need donations more than ever. Your contributions will help us continue our vital conservation work. Please consider donating to support our efforts. We are currently seeking donations to help secure building materials for the beach nursery (possibly 2!), ATV repairs and gas, measuring devices for obtaining scientific data in the field, paint for our recently donated nest stakes, new tables for preparing sand, and a trailer for the ATV. If you'd like to support our cause, please consider donating HERE. You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your contribution.
Exciting News: Beach Nursery Secured
We are thrilled to announce that we have secured an area for a beach nursery this season, thanks to the generous support of Jill Farmar and Mitch Lintzen, who allowed us to use the area in front of their property. We are also in the process of obtaining approval for a second beach nursery! These designated areas will protect our incubating nests from poachers and predators, providing a safe environment for our hatchlings. The data collected from these nests will be invaluable for improving our conservation strategies. We are currently seeking funds to purchase necessary materials for our new nursery and proper signage. Please help us reach these fundraising goals by donating HERE!
Great news! PayPal has confirmed our charity status, granting us special rates on all fees. As the nesting season kicks off, we need donations more than ever. Your contributions will help us continue our vital conservation work. Please consider donating to support our efforts. We are currently seeking donations to help secure building materials for the beach nursery (possibly 2!), ATV repairs and gas, measuring devices for obtaining scientific data in the field, paint for our recently donated nest stakes, new tables for preparing sand, and a trailer for the ATV. If you'd like to support our cause, please consider donating HERE. You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your contribution.
Exciting News: Beach Nursery Secured
We are thrilled to announce that we have secured an area for a beach nursery this season, thanks to the generous support of Jill Farmar and Mitch Lintzen, who allowed us to use the area in front of their property. We are also in the process of obtaining approval for a second beach nursery! These designated areas will protect our incubating nests from poachers and predators, providing a safe environment for our hatchlings. The data collected from these nests will be invaluable for improving our conservation strategies. We are currently seeking funds to purchase necessary materials for our new nursery and proper signage. Please help us reach these fundraising goals by donating HERE!
Greenhouse Nursery Ready
Our greenhouse nursery is ready to welcome the new season. Thanks to the hard work of Frank, Nick, Karen, and Trish, the final task of replacing the roof and walls was completed just in time before the heavy rains. Our nests now have a cozy and secure environment, and we are incredibly grateful for the team’s dedication.
Our greenhouse nursery is ready to welcome the new season. Thanks to the hard work of Frank, Nick, Karen, and Trish, the final task of replacing the roof and walls was completed just in time before the heavy rains. Our nests now have a cozy and secure environment, and we are incredibly grateful for the team’s dedication.
Celebrating Sea Turtle Week
This month, we celebrated Sea Turtle Week with great enthusiasm! On Global Sea Turtle Day, we hosted a public event in front of La Perla, featuring educational talks, coloring activities, stickers, and a fun activity where kids dug up “eggs” (ping pong balls) from a “sea turtle nest.” It was a huge success, and everyone had a fantastic time. We are currently collaborating with Entreamigos to plan an even bigger celebration next year with more special events!
Welcome New Volunteers
We are excited to introduce our new volunteers: Jaime, Ashley, Augustine, and Noah! They join our incredible team of dedicated individuals, including Frank, Steve, Nick, Ulises, Karen, Hallie, Deanna, Odette, and Trish. Our work would not be possible without their unwavering support and hard work.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Security Teams
We are thrilled to express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated security teams at the Las Olas community and Tierra Tropical Beach Club. Their unwavering support and collaboration have been instrumental in our efforts to combat poaching. Through the strategic use of information sharing and advanced technology, these teams have helped us make significant strides in protecting our precious wildlife. Your hard work and commitment to preserving nature are truly commendable. Thank you for being our partners in this critical mission.
Volunteer Housing Available
There are still spots available in our volunteer housing for July. If you are passionate about sea turtle conservation and want to join our team, please apply [HERE].
Thank You to Our Donors of the Month
We are thrilled to express our gratitude to our generous donors this month. Your financial contributions and supplies are making a significant impact on our efforts to protect wildlife and preserve our natural environment. Your support not only helps fund our essential projects, but this month also boosts the morale of our dedicated volunteers. We used our most recent donations towards: nursery and nest stake wood, pump sprayers for the nursery and ATV's Salt-A-Way, a tool box to hold all of our field supplies, walkie talkie radios to improve our safety and communications from the beach to turtle camp, gas for patrols, all-weather gorilla tape for the nursery roof and walls, flashlights, spray paint to protect the vehicles from rust, oil, crayons and pens for our community outreach, rope, and a few other items.
We are excited to share that a particular donor stated a certain portion of their funds must be allocated towards a pizza party for our hardworking volunteers. This gesture of appreciation means the world to them and provides a wonderful opportunity for team bonding and celebration of our collective achievements.
We also received a donation of Clifton Strength Assessments for all of our volunteers, followed by a workshop. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to understand and leverage each other's strengths, working together to enhance our program to its fullest potential!
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our cause: Caren Elkan, Claudia and Sheldon Hirshon, Patricia Schmidt x 2, Susan Stephens, Ronald Walsh, Sally Williams, Steve Raschke, David and Susie Schmidt, Jane and John Pendleton, Nick Sanders, and Tracy Judge.
Weatherwise
June's daytime temperatures ranged from the high 70° to mid-80°, while nighttime temperatures were in the low to mid-70°. Total rainfall for June came to 3.60 inches, the total for the year came to 5.38 inches. Beautiful weather throughout the month.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to sea turtle conservation. Together, we can make 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
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: 311-258-4100 Email: [email protected] [email protected] |