Subscribe:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1723/t/3032/signUp.jsp?key=2585Donate:
https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/seaturtles/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2705Tell A Friend:
http://seaturtles.org/share.php Sea Turtle Patrols Cut as Kemp's Ridley Nesting Numbers Peak in Texas
Funding match needed for Kemp's Ridley beach patrols next year
A Texas wildlife agency and the U. S. government plan to slash funding for sea turtle patrols along the Texas coast next year, even though a record-breaking 193 Kemp's ridley nests were counted by patrols this season. See the Houston Chronicle story.
"This will have a devastating and possibly irreversible impact on the return of the Kemp's ridley from the brink of extinction along the Texas coast," said Carole Allen of Sea Turtle Restoration Project in Houston.
To bridge the immediate gap, STRP is working to meet the challenge to raise $25,000 or more to match the amount pledged by a Houston lawyer dedicated to protecting the sea turtle. STRP is also calling on U. S. Fish and Wildlife and Congress to immediately establish permanent funding for sea turtle patrols on the upper Texas coast and to increase the amount needed to protect nests along Texas beaches including Padre Island National Seashore.
In response to the funding cut, Houston trial lawyer Joe Jamail is offering $25,000 if it can be matched to continue patrols. Sea Turtle Restoration Project is asking its members to join the campaign to match Mr. Jamail's generous offer to restore funding for patrols on the north Texas coast. Funds donated to make the match will be sent to Texas A&M University at Galveston.
To donate, go to www.seaturtles.org and click on Donate Now. Fill out the information and indicate that you want the donation to go to KR Patrols. These donations will be sent directly to Texas A & M for next year's patrols.
"Almost half of the nests have been found at the Padre Island National Seashore where over 150 volunteers and National Park staff patrol daily," said Carole Allen, Gulf Office Director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project in Houston. "Although the 16 nests found on the upper Texas coast seem a small number, we know that if we can continue patrols and increase them, many more nests will be found."
Sea Turtle Restoration Project Email News and Updates
PO Box 370, Forest Knolls, CA 94933 USA