Sea Turtle Conservancy Newsletter Science-Based Sea Turtle Conservation Since 1959 Issue 3, 2016 STC satellite tracks green sea turtles from Cuba David Godfrey / STC This past summer, Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) continued its partnership with sea turtle conservationists working at the Guanahacabibes National Park in Cuba. In addition to bringing a group of members and donors to visit Cuba and the sea turtle project at Guanahacabibes, STC secured funding to deploy satellite transmitters on sea turtles as part of its online educational program, Tour de Turtles. Over four nights, STC and staff from the ProTortugas Peninsula de Guanacabibes were able to attach satellite transmitters to two green sea turtles, Julia, sponsored by The Turtle Hospital, and continued on page 3... Dedication of Randgaard Staff House in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Shopping Guide: Check out all the sea turtle-themed merchandise!
Sponsor Spotlight Sponsor Spotlight on DivinityLA Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) is excited to officially welcome our partners at DivinityLA to the Tour de Turtles marathon! For this year s Tour de Turtles, DivinityLA sponsored a green turtle, whom they named Pebbles. When deciding on a name for their turtle, DivinityLA was inspired by the importance of pebbles and sand in the turtles nesting and hatching process. To begin her migration marathon, Pebbles, a green turtle from Tortuguero, Costa Rica, was released on July 9, 2016 from STC s John H. Phipps Biological Field Station in Tortuguero. One dollar from every DivinityLA sea turtle bracelet purchased is donated to STC. Since the launch of their company in 2015, DivinityLA has donated more than $17,000 in support of STC s research and conservation efforts. In addition to the incredible partnership they have with STC, DivinityLA has developed partnerships with a number of other hand-selected nonprofits whose purpose supports their own mission and values. With each bracelet purchased, a portion of the proceeds is donated to one of the organizations. As DivinityLA representative Kailey Ruiz said, In our world, we need more companies who are willing to look out for the greater good, as well as their own, and by contributing to wildlife conservation and human improvement we are playing our part as best we can. While they have greatly involved themselves in making a global impact through donations to international organizations like STC, DivinityLA also focuses on making improvements closer to home. Through meal preparation and distribution for the homeless, DivinityLA gives back to their local Los Angeles community. We believe that any and all efforts, big or small, can have a lasting impact on all living things that surround us. For DivinityLA, Tour de Turtles is the next step in expressing their loyalty and support of sea turtle conservation. We are very excited about the opportunity to follow these turtles on such an intimate and remarkable journey. We can t wait to see their movement throughout the migration and anticipate the nesting of their future hatchlings. Sea turtle bracelets from DivinityLA make great gifts! Visit www. DivinityLA.com to purchase a bracelet and support sea turtles! And don t forget to follow Pebbles on her marathon migration! You can view her satellite map online at conserveturtles.org/seaturtletracking.php 2 Issue 3, 2016 VELADOR {bel.a.dor} In Caribbean cultures, Velador translates as one who stands vigil referring to turtle hunters who waited at night for turtles to come ashore. Now STC claims this title for its newsletter, and around the world 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. Roldán Valverde Controller Pat McCloskey Director of International Policy Marydele Donnelly Technology & Research Biologist Daniel Evans Coastal Policy Coordinator Gary Appelson Membership Coordinator Tyler Puckett Communications Coordinator Lexie Beach Office Manager Kim Aslan Accounting Assistant Chase Hill Sea Turtle Lighting Manager Rick Herren Sea Turtle Lighting Specialist Lauryn Wright Sea Turtle Lighting Specialist Rachel Tighe Development Coordinator & Lighting Specialist Stacey Marquis BIC Community Stewardship Coordinator Donna Lee Crawford Panama Research Coordinator Cristina Ordoñez Director, Costa Rica Operations Roxana Silman Tortuguero Station Manager David Aparici Tortuguero Field Research Coordinator Jaime Restrepo Machado Tortuguero Outreach Coordinator Silvia Arriscado de la Llave Tortuguero Visitor Center Coordinator Mary Duncan Panama Assistant Research Coord. Raúl García Varela Panama Education & Outreach Coord. Georgina Zamora Quílez Sea Turtle Conservancy 4424 NW 13th Street, Suite B-11 Gainesville, Florida 32609 Phone: (352) 373-6441 E-mail: stc@conserveturtles.org Website: www.conserveturtles.org
... from cover Esperanza, sponsored by Sea Life Trust, after they successfully nested. Since it was early in the nesting season, it was expected that both sea turtles would stay just offshore of the nesting beach and return every 12 to 14 days to nest again over the next few months. Surprisingly, one turtle, Esperanza (which means hope in Spanish), began migrating south, leaving the area. She swam south for a few days and then turned west towards Mexico, eventually reaching the Mexican coastline near Cancun. She then proceeded to swim south along the coast all the way to San Pedro, near Belize. In July, STC was contacted by turtle colleagues in Mexico who had spotted a green turtle, with a satellite transmitter on her shell, nesting on the coast of the Quintana Roo Province of Mexico. It was Esperanza! After receiving photos from the Mexican biologists, STC was able to identify Esperanza by both her flipper tag number and her Leonel Gonzales Map of Esperanza s movements after being satellite tagged in Cuba. Esperanza observed nesting in Mexico. satellite transmitter. This discovery is very important because it helps confirm a pattern Julia Azanza Ricardo, with the Cuban Marine Turtle Conservation Program, has been observing based on flipper tags and genetics. But Esperanza was different. She was the first confirmed sea turtle to nest in Cuba and then migrate to Mexico to nest again during the same nesting season. This is very unusual and suggests that this green sea turtle population may not be as loyal to one beach as we thought! Most females return faithfully to the same beach each time they are ready to nest. Not only do they appear on the same beach, they often emerge within a few hundred yards of where they last nested. One of the benefits of using satellite transmitters to track sea turtles is that it helps us determine a turtle s nesting site fidelity. Or in this case, its lack of fidelity. Esperanza continued to surprise with additional travels, but she eventually stopped in a known foraging (feeding) area on the western coast of Mexico s Yucatan Peninsula. STC became familiar with the area important to green sea turtles when a green sea turtle named Adele was tracked from Tortuguero, Costa Rica to the very same area where Esperanza is currently located. STC continues to track Esperanza s movements, and you can too, on STC s website at conserveturtles.org. By Lexie Beach Communications Coordinator Sea Turtle Conservancy 3
STC Turtle Gear A. B. C. E. D. A. 2016 Ornament - featuring a tropical island scene and holiday foliage. Engraved on back. $9.95 B. 2017 Sea Turtle Scenes Calendar - 11 x 17 (open) wall calendar features some of STC s favorite sea turtles in action. $12.95 C. Sea Turtles of the World Poster - 19 x 27 poster includes illustrations of the different life stages of all seven species of sea turtles found in the world s oceans. Printed on 80# coated stock using fade resistant inks and the highest production values. Illustrations by Dawn Witherington. $19.95 D. Mosaic Loggerhead Sea Turtle Multicolor - 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 E. STC Eco-Friendly Logo Grocery Bag - a reusable shopping bag is the 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 or teal with STC logo on both bag and pouch. Made of machine washable, durable polyester with a 25 pound carrying capacity. $12.95 4 Issue 3, 2016
F. G. H. I. J. K. F. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Dangle Earrings - sterling silver loggerhead sea turtles! Created by Wildthings in Massachusetts, this unique design is available as a pair of dangle earrings. $24.95 G. Save the Turtles Charm Necklace - sea turtle charm made from copper, brass and alpaca silver with stylized STC logo on a 16 silver plate chain w/2 extender. Fair Trade and handcrafted by artisans in their home. $20.95 H. Sea Turtle Pendant - 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 I. Hawksbill Sea Turtle Plush - adorable plush hawksbill sea turtle makes a great soft toy or collectible. The perfect gift for children ages 3 and up. Approximatley 8.5 long. $9.95 J. 2016 Tour de Turtles Shirt - cotton t-shirt available in youth and adult sizes SM, MD, LG, and adult XL, 2XL. Only available in blue. $24.95 K. Sea Turtle Braclet - row of sterling silver green sea turtles. Created by Wildthings in Massachusetts, these turtles will wrap around your wrist to form a bracelet. 7 long. $39.95 Visit conserveturtles.org/shop to shop for these items and other great turtle gear! Sea Turtle Conservancy 5
Cause-Related Partners L. M. N. O. These companies are giving back to turtles by supporting STC s efforts when you shop on their website: www.strawesome.com/cause-straws www. dharmawanderlust.com www. conserveturtles.teemill.co.uk www.becauseofacase.com www.turtlelady.com www.shellycove.com/collections/hats 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. Get Me to the Sea - the Get Me to the Sea book highlights one of nature s magnificent wonders. Follow the journey of one little loggerhead sea turtle as he heads to his ocean home. Ideal for young children. $11.95 N. Russo Turtle T-shirt - relaxed fit Medium Weight 100% Cotton tee with reinforced double-stitching on all seams. After dyeing they are washed and dried, so they arrive to you comfortable, pre-shrunk & ready to wear. Available in teal with STC s logo on the left sleeve. Adult sizes S, M, L, & XL $24.95 O. 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 6 Issue 3, 2016
New Staff Spotlight Stacey Marquis Development Coordinator / Lighting Project Specialist Stacey grew up watching the Crocodile Hunter and Jeff Corwin, which fostered her love for the natural world. She has always loved to write and tell stories, so she found a home in journalism. After receiving her Bachelor s Degree from USF and working for newspapers, magazines and a radio station, she moved to Gainesville to pursue a Master s Degree in Journalism from UF. Now, Stacey works as STC s Development Coordinator, allowing her to apply her journalism skills to fundraising proposals. She also works half-time for STC s sea turtle lighting team, where she assists in retrofitting problem lights on beachfront properties. She loves everything about working at STC and is excited to have found a career that supports her passions. Rachel Tighe Lighting Project Specialist Rachel received a Master s Degree in Biology with a strong focus in coastal ecosystems and marine ecology. She has more than seven years of professional experience with environmental and conservation organizations including employment with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the City of Jacksonville. Her past experiences include laboratory research, extensive field work, environmental contract management, and state regulatory work. Rachel has organized training workshops and outreach events, and developed educational displays and lesson plans. Currently, Rachel is based in Santa Rosa County, allowing her to easily meet with property owners and managers in the Panhandle and complete lighting property surveys. Lauryn Wright Lighting Project Specialist Lauryn began her turtle conservation work at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Florida. She performed daily morning surveys and led public Turtle Walks. During the 2010 sea turtle cold stun event, Lisa Randgaard Building Dedication For Giving Tuesday 2014 and World Sea Turtle Day 2015, we held a campaign to raise money to rebuild the staff housing building at STC s Research Station in Tortuguero. Between our Members donations and generous contributions from Naked Turtle Rum and the Lisa Jo Randgaard family, we raised enough money to build an amazing new home! The new and improved staff housing will keep our researchers dry and safe while they continue vital sea turtle research. The new building was dedicated in honor of Lisa Jo Randgaard, a devoted sea turtle supporter who passed away in 2012. Tyler Puckett, Lauryn Wright, Rachel Tighe, and Stacey Marquis Lauryn was able to gain experience in a more hands on capacity rehabilitation. Lauryn helped care for hundreds of turtles that came through the Gumbo Limbo Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center during the event. In 2014, she starting working at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. She surveyed uninhabited barrier islands that were only accessible by boat, managed multiple nesting projects throughout the state, responded to strandings and performed community outreach. She joins STC as a new member of the lighting team and will be a great asset with all of her turtle knowledge to help darken the beaches for nesting females and hatchlings, and educate the public on why it s so important to do so. Tyler Puckett Membership Coordinator Tyler recently graduated from the University of Florida and is already working with STC Staff and Members to help save sea turtles! She was raised in Florida and grew up on Florida s Gulf Coast. Her passion for marine conservation started at a young age with local beach cleanups and led to a love of the ocean. She continued that journey at the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor s Degree in Environmental Education and then a Master s Degree in Leadership. She hopes to use her education to help people understand the true joys of nature and how we can preserve these special places around us. 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 Year End Giving Please consider giving a year-end, tax-deductible, donation in support of STC s efforts to protect sea turtles in 2017! As Sea Turtle Conservancy s 59th year comes to a close, STC would like to recognize the importance of members, like you, whose generous and loyal support has helped make this organization the most successful sea turtle group in the world. Together, we ve made great progress in protecting and recovering sea turtles, and we have much to celebrate. Of course, there is still more to do on behalf of these majestic animals, and STC needs your support more than ever. Despite ongoing survival threats facing these animals, there are a lot of good things happening for sea turtles at many of the sites where STC works. STC has launched a new partnership with Cuban biologists to help modernize sea turtle research and protection in the country. STC is launching an in-water turtle research program on Florida s Gulf coast. STC expanded its presence on Panama s Caribbean coast to include annual research and conservation programs at nearly a dozen sites, and we conduct sustained community education programs out of a field office in Bocas del Toro. STC recently launched a major campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of sea level rise on sea turtle nesting beaches. You have helped make all of these accomplishments possible; however, sea turtle survival still is threatened by exploitation for meat, shells and eggs; interaction with commercial fisheries; marine pollution; and habitat loss from coastal construction and sea level rise. Your past support enabled STC to effectively monitor and protect sea turtles from these and other threats, and the results can be seen as nesting numbers continue to increase at many of the places we work. With your help we can remain vigilant and protect the hard-fought progress we have made on behalf of sea turtles. Please take a moment to make a year-end contribution at https://conserveturtles.org/donate!