Sea turtles — including species like green, loggerhead, and leatherback — are incredible ambassadors of marine conservation thanks to their large size, beauty, and habit of flocking to beaches all over the world to lay eggs. Conservationists have made great strides in protecting these amazing creatures through beach monitoring efforts, marine protected areas, and even granting sea turtles legal rights. But there’s still a long road ahead to restore sea turtle populations worldwide.
There are lots of ways to help sea turtles. Whether by becoming a citizen scientist or by advocating for sea turtle protection, there are easy opportunities for anyone to get involved.
Get Involved with the Rights of Nature Movement
In Panama, sea turtles now have the legal right to a safe and healthy environment thanks to the efforts of conservation scientist Callie Veelenturf and her allies. Sea turtles are just one kind of animal to benefit from the growing movement to grant nature legal rights. Ecuador has enshrined the rights of nature in its constitution, and Panama recently passed a law giving all nature legal rights across the county.
Learn more about the movement by watching the Wild Hope episodes “Does Nature Have Rights?” and “Protecting Paradise.” Then, sign up for the “For Nature” newsletter to learn how to advocate for the rights of nature in your own community!
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Become a Sea Turtle Ambassador!
Anyone can become a champion for sea turtle conservation. These species are an inspiration for ocean-lovers worldwide and inspire thousands of people to take action and protect marine environments — and there are dozens of ways to make a difference! Use the Sea Turtle Conservancy list of easy actions to find the best action for you — and to help your friends, family, and community find something THEY can engage in too!
Start today at conserveturtles.org
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Help Researchers — Report your Sea Turtle Sightings!
Your trip to the beach could help researchers protect sea turtles! If you spot a sea turtle anywhere in the world, you can log it with the International Sea Turtle Observation Registry. The data you gather helps researchers better understand sea turtle populations so that they can improve protections for these gentle ocean reptiles. Photos are welcomed, but not necessary, to log your observation.
Report your sea turtle sighting using this form on seaturtle.org!
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See Plastic? Say Plastic!
Plastic pollution can be deadly to sea turtles and other marine animals. Join the Marine Debris Tracker community science project by documenting plastic pollution and help make a difference. Just report litter wherever you see it, from the ocean to your backyard. The data you collect generates scientific findings, informs policy, and inspires solutions.
Take action at scistarter.org
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