Loggerhead Marinelife Center recently received a $6,293.25 grant from the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program to purchase a new ATV. The grant program is funded by the sales of the sea turtle specialty license plate.
The grant will help LMC’s research department safely and more efficiently conduct morning and nighttime nesting surveys, which provide valuable data that helps LMC researchers better understand and protect Florida sea turtles. Obtaining the ATV also enables the Center’s research team to continue other collaborative projects funded by this grant program. These include the following:
- A multiple-paternity study with Dr. Jeanette Wyneken at Florida Atlantic University
- A study on the quantity of blood in sea turtles with Dr. Nicole Stacy at the University of Florida, The Turtle Hospital in Marathon and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
- A study on sea turtle health and immunity with Annie Page-Karijan at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Larry Herbst at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center was chosen for the award through a competitive application process, which is open to coastal county governments, educational institutions and Florida-based nonprofit groups striving to improve the livelihood of sea turtles and conserve Florida habitats.
Launched in 1996, the “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” specialty license plate raises money for two important programs that benefit Florida sea turtles – the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Turtle Protection Program and the Sea Turtle Grants Program, which distribute money back to the local level for turtle conservation projects.
“It’s rewarding to know that so many people share our concern for Florida’s sea turtles,” said David Godfrey, Sea Turtle Conservancy executive director. “What we do in this state has a dramatic impact on sea turtle populations around the world. By purchasing the sea turtle specialty plate, Floridians are voluntarily funding important programs to save these amazing creatures.”
“We’re so grateful to the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program for their support,” said Dr. Justin Perrault, LMC’s associate director of research. “The grant has already enabled us to more effectively conduct research along the 9.5-mile stretch we monitor, while representing the beautiful state of Florida and educating others about the importance of protecting its environment.”
To learn more about the Sea Turtle Grants Program and the “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” specialty license plate visit helpingseaturtles.org.