Grant: 20-013C
Project Title: UTV for North Captiva Sea Turtle Foundation Inc.
Project Manager: Helen Justice
Organization: North Captiva Sea Turtle Foundation (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $12,832.19
Completion Date: 2021-04-07
Summary: The North Captiva Sea Turtle Foundation, Inc. monitors sea turtle nesting activity along over four miles of gulf beaches on North Captiva including residential areas and beaches managed by Cayo Costa State Park. Over the past couple of years, the nesting numbers in both sections of beach have followed the statewide trend with the island experiencing record nesting levels. Sea turtle nests are regularly depredated on the island, mostly within the boundaries of the state park. As a result, surveyors proactively screen or cage as many nests as possible in the state park to deter depredation by mammalian predators. Currently, our group does not have a reliable vehicle to complete the nesting surveys and it is necessary for volunteers to use their own personal vehicles. The funding of this project will cover the cost of a UTV to be utilized during sea turtle nesting surveys so that we are able to continue to collect nesting data safely and efficiently and protect the nests from predators along the beaches surveyed. The proposed electric UTV is necessary due to the remoteness of the island and in the interest of begin environmentally responsible by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. 
Results: UTV was purchased and used to transport volunteers for beach surveys, as well as transport screens and cages to nesting sites.