Sea Turtle Conservancy

Florida Programs Networking, education, advocacy, research, and grants programs based in the United States to eliminate threats facing sea turtles and to preserve nesting and feeding habitats. This includes an in-water research project to study the sea turtles of the Big Bend region of Florida. Other activities include close monitoring and shaping of policies at the local and state level impacting sea turtles and their habitat. STC also hosts Tour de Turtles, an annual educational program using satellite-tracked migrations of sea turtles that combines research and education into a free, interactive program available online to anyone.

Tortuguero Research and Conservation - Sea turtle research and conservation based in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Emphasis is centered on the local populations of green and leatherback turtles. This includes tagging and educational activities, research grants, fellowships, and other related expenses. The project also includes a research assistantship program that provides training to aspiring biologists, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lighting and Predation - Initially these programs were created in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Funds have been used for sea turtle mitigation in three areas: lighting, rehabilitation, and predation. Currently funding continues for mitigation in lighting and predation. Lighting grants replace problem fixtures on coastal properties with shielded amber LED lights that reduce disorientation for nesting turtles and hatchlings. Predation funds concentrate on reducing the incidence of predation of turtle eggs and hatchlings.

Panama Research and Conservation - A collaborative sea turtle research and conservation initiative based at Bocas del Toro on Panamas north Caribbean coast. Modeled after STCs Tortuguero program, the purpose of the Panama project is to study, protect and recover local populations of leatherback and hawksbill turtles, both of which nest in globally significant numbers in the region. The project includes ongoing monitoring, protection and education activities at Chiriqui Beach, Playa Larga, Red Beach and Escudo de Veraguas, Soropta, Colon, Bluff Beach and the Zapatilla Cays.

Barrier Island Center - The Barrier Island Center (BIC) is an educational center located in the heart of the Archie Carr Refuge (the Refuge) in Melbourne, Florida. The Refuge is a major nesting site for sea turtles. The BIC provides a focal point for the Refuge and the associated barrier island by providing exhibit space, a presentation hall and ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the areas fragile natural resources. Through a partnership with the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, STC oversees and conducts the educational programs offered at the BIC, and manages a small gift shop.

International Programs - These programs protect sea turtles by expanding conservation, education and policy initiatives in a variety of activities throughout the world.