But they are far more vulnerable than many realize, with their populations decimated in recent decades by human activity and changes in environmental conditions. Reduce global warming by taking simple steps that will likely save money in the long run: drive less, ... but they are a danger to wildlife such as sea turtles, who can swallow them accidentally, mistake them for food, ... 10 Easy Ways of Helping Turtles Survive. to increase their chances of survival. 3. All donations will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $30,000 this giving season by a longtime supporter! https://www.seeturtles.org/help-save-turtles Organize a clean-up day with your friends and clear the beach of litter, give a presentation to your neighborhood or local school on things they can do to save sea turtles, and most importantly, talk to others about what they can do to make sure they Be a volunteer ambassador to Save Leatherback Turtles in Limon, Costa Rica. Sea turtles have very attractive shells that are worth much money. © 2020 Galvanized Media. Although targeting these problems may seem like an overwhelming task, there are specific actions you can take to ensure the survival of sea turtles. To help make it easier for turtles to navigate the beach, you can also remove beach furniture and other equipment from the beach before the nighttime, as turtles may become caught in them or become disoriented. Illegal Sea Turtle Shell Trade. After a 2-year beach cleanup in Miami that removed over 11 million pounds of trash from the environment, olive ridley turtle hatchlings were spotted making their way from the nest to the ocean, which had not occurred in decades. Nesting turtles and hatchlings use the moon's natural lighting as a guide. Bonus: It's a do-good activity that you can participate in at a safe six-foot distance! Beach chairs, umbrellas, and tents are another hindrance that can keep baby sea turtles from making their way to the ocean when it’s time to start swimming. (Here's how to identify a hawksbill turtle shell. Sea turtles have lived on Earth for about 110 million years. Support sea turtle conservation by … Global warming can skew the gender ratios of sea turtles, as well as the distribution of predators and prey. And for ways to make your home eco-friendly, check out 30 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly. 6. 17 Small Things You Can Do to Help Endangered Species, disturbing video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck, switching plastic bags for reusable cloth bags, professor of biological sciences and anthropology, 30 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly. If you do need lighting, try to avoid directly illuminating the beach, using a shade to minimize the amount of light shining in the area. Reduce the amount of plastic you use every day. Never pick up a hatchling. 1. It was a disturbing video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nostril that sparked the movement to ban plastic straws. We are currently finalizing our upcoming webinars and will post the schedule here when ready. "Find biodegradable lawn and garden products that you can use and facilities that properly dispose of toxic chemicals," he says. Sea Turtle Conservancy offers its own Adopt-a-Turtle program to help the Florida sea turtle populations. "When traveling, ask vendors what souvenirs are made of and when in doubt, don't purchase items in question," urges Nahill. So do your part by avoiding anything that looks suspicious—particularly anything that involves the shell of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Then make small changes to cut back. If sea turtles become extinct, both the marine and beach ecosystems will weaken and have harmful effects. Lives to protect sea turtles should start with their lawn products reach the water at Padre... 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