Volunteer Program Paves The Way For Sea Turtle Conservation On The Gulf Coast
A visitor to the Fort Morgan beach on the Alabama coast might be surprised to see a small group of people intently working on something in the sand; in fact, these are members of “Share The Beach”, a volunteer-run organization which dedicates its efforts to protecting and collecting data on each one of the nests that is laid and discovered along the entire Alabama coastline. Composed of over 500 passionate volunteers, Share The Beach spends the six month long nesting season patrolling the beaches in search of the highly discreet signs that a nest has been laid, after which they ensure a successful hatch and safe trek back to the ocean. Mike Reynolds founded the program more than fifteen years ago following his move to the area, seeing how there was no conservation program in place. With a tally of an astonishing 78 nests just this year, Share The Beach is driving the word home that these animals are on a desperate race for survival, and it is up to us to provide a safe haven for the thousands of tiny neonates which emerge each and every year. It is only through the commitment and hard work of people like these that give these turtles their only chance of survival.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
USA: Tiny Caretta caretta takes up residence at science center
Asia: Rare sea turtle sighting sparks intense excitement
CA: Celebrating conservation efforts at Vancouver Zoo
Crime & Punishment
USA: Sea turtle tethered to beach chair dies
Health & Medical
UK: Dermochelys coriacea ingests beach trash
Miscellany
UK: Tortoise makes dangerous break for freedom
USA: Fortunate rescue from tight spot
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Photo from Karim Shamsi-Basha.
