Grant: 24-043R
Project Title: Gaining Traction on Sea Turtle Conservation
Project Manager: Julia Gill Woodward & Paula Russo
Organization: Florida State Parks Foundation (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $31,370.85
Completion Date:
Summary: Frequent sea turtle nesting surveys occur from April 15th through October 1st at coastal Florida State Parks where sea turtles are known to nest. Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) allow park staff to easily transport sea turtle nesting survey equipment, such as nest stakes used to post nesting sites, along with self-releasing screens to deter mammalian depredation. UTVs also help park staff and volunteers more easily respond to and recover live, stranded sea turtles from the beach, then assist in relocating them to a local wildlife rehabilitation center. Park managers report that patrolling rangers and volunteers on UTVs along the beach regularly stop to interact with park visitors, creating an opportunity for sea turtle conservation discussions. Considering the high level of impact UTVs can have when you add in the educational component on top of the maintenance benefits, this project will fund the purchase of two UTVs for two coastal Florida State Parks.
Results: