The Sea Turtle Science and Recovery (STSR) program at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas is being dismantled, affecting far more than the survival of the most endangered sea turtle in the world.
For years, the STSR program has helped increase the numbers of the severely endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The program has also been a big economic driver for Corpus Christi businesses, as the baby sea turtle releases have attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the area per year. The seasonal beach patrols have provided safety and security for National Seashore visitors. Despite this, the program is at risk of being dismantled by the National Park Service (NPS).
Coastal environmentalists, local political leaders, and beach-oriented business owners need your support. Send a letter to the Assistant DOI Secretary Shannon Estenoz and ask her to meet with Sierra Club and our allies to hear our concerns about protecting this critical program.
The NPS has already greatly reduced public turtle releases, cut beach patrols, and done away with much of the excellent education programming associated with the STSR program. We suspect this is being done to save money, without proper regard to the scientific benefits this program has had to stop the extinction of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is so iconic in Texas that a petition initiated by school children led it to be declared the State Turtle of Texas, the state with the largest turtle biodiversity in the USA. Public sea turtle releases as a part of the STSR program at Padre Island National Seashore have inspired many thousands of children to become better stewards of the Texas coast, a coastline that is increasingly imperiled by human activity.
Texans do not want to lose this program! Help us protect it before it is too late!
For more information about this program, see
What Does It Take to Save a Sea Turtle on Turtle Island?
Save the Turtle Science Program at Padre Island National Seashore
Photo: The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (National Park Service)