Grant: 23-020E
Project Title: Threats to Sea Turtles Mobile Educational Display
Project Manager: Lexie Beach
Organization: Sea Turtle Conservancy (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $4,330.00
Completion Date: 2024-04-18
Summary: Florida's sea turtles continue to face threats both on nesting beaches and in coastal waters. With more and more pressure on coastal areas as the human population in coastal cities and towns grow, it is important to continue to raise awareness about sea turtles, the threats they face and the simple actions people can take to protect sea turtles and their habitats. Inappropriate coastal development, artificial lighting and human encroachment on nesting beaches can discourage sea turtles from nesting, and can result in decreased nesting and hatching success. Sea level rise and climate change are impacting Florida's nesting beaches and the future adult breeding population. Human activities in coastal waters are also impacting Florida's sea turtles. Year-round boat traffic can injure and kill juvenile and adult sea turtles, while increased boating during the summer months increases the negative impact to breeding adults in the near shore water off of nesting beaches. Sea turtles are often hooked during recreational fishing and are by-catch in numerous commercial fisheries. It is of critical importance that Florida's growing human population behaves in a way that minimizes impacts to sea turtles, and that all begins with education and awareness. Sea Turtle Conservancy will develop a high-quality event display that highlights the threats to Florida's sea turtles and provides simple actions that Florida's citizens can take to help protect sea turtles. The display will include graphics, easy to read text, and a video monitor to loop existing educational videos. 
Results: Sea Turtle Conservancy purchased both educational displays, a large 10 foot by 10 foot panel display and a video monitor display. Images were selected to represent different threats to sea turtles in Florida, attracted attention to the display, and provide simple solutions to address threats to sea turtles. A TV Monitor and mounting bracket were purchased, and a set of videos was collected on a USB drive to continuously loop on the monitor. The displays were used at the Florida Marine Turtle Permit Holder's Meeting in Gainesville in March, 2024 and will be used at a World Sea Turtle Day event in June, 2024.