Sea Turtle Conservancy Newsletter Science-Based Sea Turtle Conservation Since 1959 Issue 4, 2014 Green Power Helps Save Sea Turtles in Panama Photo by Sarah Bradley Since 2003, Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) has been working to recover hawksbill turtles at Chiriquí Beach, Panama - a remote, 20-mile stretch of coastline just south of Bocas del Toro that is one of the most important hawksbill nesting sites in the Caribbean. Hawksbill nesting at Chiriquí was nearly wiped out by decades of extensive harvesting for the international tortoiseshell trade. However, STC s sustained presence has greatly reduced poaching and other threats, and nesting levels are increasing each season. While STC s work at Chiriquí began as an initiative to recover hawksbills, it has been exciting to discover that this same beach hosts the fourth-largest nesting colony of leatherbacks in the world, with up to 6,000 nests per year. Recently, STC took advantage of a fantastic opportunity to expand its leatherback conservation work in Panama to include a site at Soropta Beach, a nearby blacksand beach on Panama s Caribbean coast. In 2013, continued on page 3... Inside: 7th Tour de Turtles wrapped up on October 31. Maura Kraus Shopping Guide: Check out all the sea turtle-themed gift ideas!
Giving Spotlight In Caribbean cultures, Velador translates as one who stands vigil Lisa Jo Randgaard Fund Established in 2012, The Lisa Jo Randgaard fund is a permanent endowment created to honor the life of Lisa Jo Randgaard, an STC member and conservation activist who passed away suddenly in May of 2012. Lisa s Fund was created by Lisa s parents and three siblings as a lasting legacy for their beloved daughter and sister to provide ongoing annual support for STC s many sea turtle conservation programs. An original goal of $50,000 was set and we are happy to announce that that goal has been exceeded, partially due to the success of Lisa s Fundanas Project which raised $10,140 for The Lisa Jo Randgaard Fund. The Sew Turtles, which consisted of Lisa s mother and two sisters, hand-sewed 334 custom sea-turtle-themed bandanas for both people and animals in just over a year. Thank you very much, Fundana Fans, for your kindness and generosity, and for posting your pictures online from 28 U.S. states and 28 countries around the world! Upon the Project s completion in March 2014, The Sew Turtles began their own migration and landed on a new fundraising venture, hatching as The Soap Turtles! Inspired by Lisa, who created beautiful, hand-crafted soaps as gifts, these fragrant, homemade soap bars made in small batches contain pure essential oils and all natural ingredients. Flippery When Wet handmade soaps can be ordered online starting in late-october 2014, at www. LoveIntoSustainedAction.com. The Soap Turtles aim to Clean and Protect. When you purchase Flippery When Wet soap, 100% of the purchase price will go towards The Lisa Jo Randgaard Fund. Giving Tuesday Special thanks to Kim Harrell for providing the packaging artwork Giving Tuesday was created as a counterpoint to the US-based, post-thanksgiving shopping days Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now in its 3rd year, Giving Tuesday has become an international day of giving back to communities and non-profits worldwide. There are several ways to help including tweeting your support using the hashtag #GivingTuesday and donating to STC s campaign for much-needed repairs to STC s field station in Tortuguero, Costa Rica on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014. Join us as we share messages from STC supporters and update you on the campaign VELADOR {bel.a.dor} originally referring to turtle and egg harvesters who waited at night for turtles to come ashore. Now STC claims this title for its newsletter, and around the Caribbean STC s researchers and volunteers are replacing poachers as the new veladors. The Velador is published for members and supporters of the nonprofit Sea Turtle Conservancy. STC is dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles through research, advocacy, education and protection of the habitats upon which they depend. Executive Director David Godfrey Scientific Director Dr. Emma Harrison Controller Pat McCloskey Director of International Policy Marydele Donnelly Technology & Research Specialist Daniel Evans Coastal Policy Coordinator Gary Appelson Sea Turtle Lighting Specialist Karen Shudes Communications Coordinator Lexie Beach Office Manager Kim Aslan Membership Coordinator Becca Gelwicks Lighting Project Specialist Gwen Oberholtzer BIC Community Stewardship Coordinator Donna Lee Crawford Panama Research Coordinator Cristina Ordoñez Director, Costa Rica Operations Roxana Silman San José Office Assistant Maria Laura Castro Tortuguero Station Manager David Aparici Tortuguero Field Coordinator Raúl García Varela Tortuguero is one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world. Help us in our goal to raise $5,000 to repair the field station to keep our researchers and volunteers safe as they monitor and protect this beach. Visit www.conserveturtles.org/givingtuesday to donate or for more information. Sea Turtle Conservancy 4424 NW 13th Street, Suite B-11 Gainesville, Florida 32609 Phone: (352) 373-6441 Fax: (352) 375-2449 E-mail: stc@conserveturtles.org Website: www.conserveturtles.org 2 Issue 4, 2014
... from cover STC was approached by the London-based Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), which has monitored and protected leatherbacks at Soropta Beach since 2002. For financial reasons, EWT was no longer able to operate the project at Soropta, and they asked STC to take it over and manage the project. Unfortunately, for years Soropta s leatherbacks and their nests have been illegally harvested by poachers who kill the turtles for their meat and raid nests to steal the eggs. STC s conservation program is helping prevent poaching by protecting nests, monitoring nesting activity, and building support for turtle conservation with the local community. The work takes place out of a rustic station, where the lack of electricity made the work extremely challenging - until now. The new solar energy system installed by FTL Global Solutions is making our conservation efforts more effective and safe, said STC executive director David Godfrey. Acquiring solar energy at a remote place like Soropta Beach could not have been done without the expert advice and assistance of FTL. Their team guided us through the process; helped deliver the system to our remote station and even sent an expert to install the system and train our staff in its use and maintenance. The new solar panel installed on the roof of STC s staff house will power LED lights in all three buildings. What makes the lighting so powerful is what it brings to Soropta, said FTL spokesperson Paul Murphy. The lighting extends the useful working day allowing the teams to achieve much more during each day, plus the social cohesion it brings to Soropta is incredible. A state-of-the-art clean solar energy system is now helping STC protect endangered sea turtles at its research station on Soropta Beach. Designed and installed by FTL Global Solutions (FTL), an innovator of lightweight, rugged energy systems for use in remote areas, this reliable green energy system now supplies power for lighting, security, water and cooking needs as STC biologists work throughout the night protecting endangered leatherback turtles and their hatchlings at one of the most important nesting beaches for this species in the Atlantic. The FTL solar energy system now provides critical power needs to the station s various buildings where staff members live, work and eat. Running water is now supplied to a restroom and shower facility, and the station compound and dock now have security lighting in place. The first evening the lights were in and turned on was the first evening that the teams actualy sat around the table after dinner and just talked, said Murphy. The camaraderie was a delight to watch, the joy on faces when the lights were turned on for dinner was moving. What FTL brings is more than just a lighting solution-- it s a life changing solution. Although improperly managed artificial lights can disorient nesting turtles and their hatchlings, STC has used the latest turtle-friendly lighting technology throughout the Soropta station. All lights use red LED technology and are completely shielded from view on the beach. Using such technology, it is possible to provide light for human needs and safety on the beach without disturbing nesting sea turtles and other coastal wildlife. STC staff enjoying dinner under solar powered red LED lights. By Lexie Beach Communications Coordinator Sea Turtle Conservancy 3
Holiday Gift Guide A. B. C. D. E. A. 2014 Ornament - featuring a green sea turtle hatchling emerging from its egg. Writing engraved on back. Approx. 4. $9.95 B. 2015 Sea Turtle Scenes Calendar - 11 x 17 (open) wall calendar features some of STC s favorite sea turtles in action. $12.95 C. Mosaic Loggerhead Sea Turtle - beautifully crafted stone resin sculpture by Barcino. Each is hand painted for a unique mosaic porcelain finish. Measures L 5.1 x W 5.1 x H 1.7 $19.95 D. STC Reusable Shopping Bag - a perfect alternative to plastic store bags. This eco-friendly bag is 14.5 x 18 and stores easily in its own pouch to become 4 x3. Includes carabiner clip. Black with STC logo on both bag and pouch. $12.95 E. Sea Turtle 8GB USB Flash Drive - plug-and-play, compatible with most Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. $19.95 Visit conserveturtles.org/store to shop for these items and other great turtle gear! 4 Issue 4, 2014
F. H. G. I. J. K. J. F. Sea Turtle Pendant - a unique pendant plated with rhodium and inlayed with genuine opalite and crystals. Each pendant comes in a white box with an 18 chain. Approximatley 1 high. $29.95 G. Save the Turtles Charm - sea turtle charm with stylized STC logo on a 16 silver plate chain w/2 extender. Fair Trade and handcrafted by artisans in their home. $19.95 H. Aurora Plush Sea Turtle - this 11 plush is a realistic sea turtle from the Miyoni collection of animals made with exceptional detail and super soft to the touch. Miyoni tag attached. $14.95 I. Splish Splash Plush Sea Turtle - an adorable 8 Aurora mini flopsie plush with a dark green body and lighter green shell with black hexagon scutes. Recommended for ages three and up. $9.95 J. Tour de Turtles Shirt - cotton t-shirt with artwork donated by artist Mago Z. Available in child & adult sizes SM, MD, LG & XL. Only available in mint green. $19.95 K. Mosaic Sea Turtle Ornament - beautifully crafted stone resin sculpture by Barcino. Each is hand painted for a unique mosaic porcelain finish. Measures L 2.6 x W 3.3 x H 0.7 $9.95. Sea Turtle Conservancy 5
Cause-Related Partners L. M. N. O. bluemarlinlicenseframes.com puravidabracelets.com runiartproducts.com rellergold.com/turtles.html altruette.com loggerheadapparel.com L. Replica Sea Turtle License Plate - mock version of Florida s sea turtle speciality plate for the front of your car. Metal, size of a standard American license plate. $12.95 M. So Excellent a Fishe - new edition captures Carr s gentle humor, his passionate fascination with sea turtles, and his intense love of sharing his knowledge with readers. $21.95 N. Sea Turtle Jotter Notebook - small jotter notebook with a 3-D look sea turtle scene cover. Contains 50 blank pages made of 100% recycled paper. Measures 5.75 x 4.25. $9.99 O. On Kiki s Reef- this children s book, by Carol Malnor, follows Kiki as she becomes a gentle giant and discovers fish of all sizes and lots of surprises. $17.99 Visit conserveturtles.org/store to shop for these items and other great turtle gear! 6 Issue 4, 2014
Tour de Turtles There was no shortage of excitement in this year s Tour de Turtles (TdT) marathon! This year, Sea Turtle Conservancy tracked 11 sea turtles representing five species from four different locations: Florida, Tortuguero, Panama, and Nevis. After three months of friendly competition, we have our winners, along with some exciting updates from the field! Panama Jack, a giant female leatherback from Panama, finished in first place in STC s 7th annual Tour de Turtles Migration Marathon. She actually led the race the entire duration! This was a very exciting win for sponsor Turtle & Hughes, Inc. The turtle they sponsored in last year s race, a juvenile green named Relay, came in 12th place, so they were thrilled at the opportunity to sponsor a leatherback for this year. In second place, we had Calypso Blue III, sponsored by Atlantis Resort. She put up a good fight for 1st but she just couldn t match PJ s speed! Her distant cousin, leatherback Calypso Blue II, was last year s winner. Speed definitely runs in that family! The race for third place was a definite nail biter When this issue went to press in October, green turtle Esperanza (sponsored by Contiki Holidays and Tread- Right Foundation) surprised everyone by swimming from last place all the way up to 3rd place in a matter of days! She certainly kicked things into high gear this month. However, loggerheads Elsa (sponsored by Disney s Worldwide Conservation Fund) and Melba (sponsored by Florida s Sea Turtle License Plate) are both right on her tail! It looks like it will be a close race to the very end, so make sure to visit www.tourdeturtles.org after November 1st to see which turtle came out victorious! Some fun facts about this year s race: This year was the first time that a rehabilitated loggerhead turtle competed in the TdT! Pine Tyme, an 80 pound sub-adult loggerhead, was spotted struggling on the surface unable to dive near Big Pine Key, Florida. She was brought to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL for treatment and upon recovery, was fitted with a satellite transmitter and released from Sombrero Beach. This also marked Shelley, sponsored by Ripley s Aqauriums begins her travels from the beach in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. STC s first release from The Florida Keys! The morning after green turtle Esperanza (sponsored by Contiki Holidays and Tread- Right Foundation) laid her eggs in Tortuguero, her nest was poached and the eggs stolen. Luckily, the police caught the poacher and returned the eggs to STC s team, who quickly and carefully reburied them in a new location. Hawksbill Sugar already had flipper tags when STC found her nesting on Lover s Beach near the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis. It was determined that she was originally tagged by the Nevis Turtle Group in 2007! Loggerheads Anna and Elsa (sponsored by Disney s Animals Programs, Disney s Vero Beach Resort, and Disney s Worldwide Conservation Fund) were both named after characters from Disney s animated movie Frozen. Their nests hatched within days of each other and both had very successful hatch rates! Anna laid 72 eggs of which 68 hatched. Elsa laid 127 eggs and 115 hatched. For the full update on all of our Tour de Turtles competitors, visit our blog at www.conserveturtles. org/turtleblog Sea Turtle Conservancy 7
4424 NW 13th Street, Suite B-11 Gainesville, FL 32609 (352) 373-6441 Fax: (352) 375-2449 stc@conserveturtles.org www.conserveturtles.org Membership Still working on your holiday gift list? A Membership to the Sea Turtle Conservancy is a thoughtful and hassle-free gift. For a tax-deductible donation of $30 ($40 outside the United States) your friends and family will become STC members for one year and will receive a Membership kit and subscription to our quarterly publication, the Velador. At the $50 level and above you ll have the option of sending them a collectible holiday ornament or STC s 2015 calendar (while supplies last) with their gift. STC will take care of all the details, including delivery! Show your friends and family you care about them and about making a difference. Visit http://www.conserveturtles.org/join to give the gift of Membership. Looking for something unique for the sea-turtlelover in your life? STC s sea turtle adoption kits make great personalized gifts. For a taxdeductible donation of $30 ($40 outside the United States) you can adopt a satellite-tracked turtle or a green turtle from Tortuguero. We ll send your loved one an adoption kit and a personalized certificate. Gift recipients become STC Members and will receive a subscription to STC s Velador newsletter. For an adoption of $50 or more you ll have the option of sending an additional gift, including a collectible holiday ornament or STC s 2015 calendar (while supplies last). Visit http://www.conserveturtles.org/adoptaturtle to give a gift adoption. D. Schrichte Sea Turtle Conservancy is proud to be consistently recognized by charity watchdogs GuideStar and Charity Navigator for our commitment to transparency, good governance and fiscal responsibility. STC has received Charity Navigator s coveted 4-Star ranking for nine years in a row. STC uses your donations wisely and efficiently to conduct sea turtle research and conservation. To learn By Dr. more visit www.guidestar.com and www.charitynavigator.com. Emma Harrison