accstr presentation for leslie v2r1
TRANSCRIPT
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ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES:Aviation Is Making A Difference
Did you know? There are 7 species of sea turtles in the world:
• loggerhead • green• leatherback• hawksbill• Kemp’s ridley• olive ridley • flatback
Adult sea turtles range from less than 100 pounds (ridley species) to about 1,300 pounds (leatherback)
They lay their eggs on tropical and subtropical beaches
Some have specialized diets, such as jellyfish (leatherbacks), sponges (hawksbills), & seagrass (green turtles)
They have existed for >100 m.y.
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Most species are highly endangered, many populations have been reduced from human activities, such as:
• killing for food or income• habitat destruction• fisheries bycatch• egg collection
They depend on coastal beaches for reproduction, many of which are also heavily developed by humans
The U.S. has one of the largest loggerhead nesting populations in the world, but also, green, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley, and hawksbill turtles nest in the U.S.
About 90% of sea turtle nesting in U.S. occurs in Florida
And, did you know?
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In 2014, turtles cold-stunned in New England needed help, and one of our own did just that!!
Through his contacts in General Aviation, Leslie Weinstein, of True-Lock LLC & the ACCSTR Development Board, got the
word out and pilots volunteered their time and planes to
transport turtles to rehabilitation facilities across the SE U.S.
Leslie’s efforts, and those of the General Aviation industry,as well as many volunteers, made it possible for hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles to get the medical treatment and rehabilitation
they needed so they could be released back into the wild
Reduce negative impacts from humans, such as:• bycatch mortality• coastal development• unsustainable killing of turtles and taking eggs• light pollution• vessel strikes• marine debris (plastic, nets, fishing line, etc.)
Protect & restore coastal and foraging habitats
Improve sea turtle resiliency to Climate Change
Improve our understanding of their biology, populations, and ecology to inform management actions
What do we need to do to help sea turtles?
Excellence in 1986 by the University Board of Regents of the State of Florida in recognition of the outstanding achievements and pioneering research of the late Archie Carr and the University of Florida’s international reputation in the field of sea turtle research.
At the University of Florida, there’s a special place working on many of these important sea turtle issues ….
The Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research (ACCSTR) at the University of Florida was established as a Center of
ACCSTR Research & Conservation – 3 Areas of Focus Long-term Research – nesting beach & in-water studies provide
vital life history information
Healthy Marine Ecosystems – understanding ecological roles of sea turtles to aid in restoration of ecosystems
Protecting Florida’s Natural Heritage - improving our understanding of Florida sea turtles to be better stewards of these valuable populations
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ACCSTR Research Accomplishment Highlights
Role of sea turtles in beach stabilization
Lighting disorientation & solutions
Solving the “mystery of the lost year” for Atlantic loggerheads
Growth rates• Identified slow growth rates• Increased knowledge of age to maturity
Population genetics• Source populations identified for foraging
ground turtles
Understanding nutritional ecology of green turtles
Information & communication systems• CTURTLE listserv (>1,600 subscribers)• Online bibliography (>21,000 publications)
Helping sea turtles is important, and there are many ways to help
The Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research needs funding for valuable ongoing research, graduate student studies, and expansion of research needed
to better understand sea turtles and their conservation needs
The innovative Aircraft Donation Program is one way we raise funds
After All, Turtles Fly Too!!
Your aircraft donation supports research & scholarships
Interested in turning your aircraft into a tax deduction? We are accepting fixed wing and rotorcraft aircrafts. The Aircraft Donation Program is working with the University of Florida Foundation to support sea turtle research, as well as student scholarships.
Why donate? aircraft maintenance costs lapsed pilot medical difficulty selling aircraft storage fees tax deduction
Making a difference.
Shaping the future.
Impacting humanity.
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The ACCSTR Has Many Collaborators:Disney’s Animal, Science & Environment ProgramCaretta Research Project, Georgia
Geronimo Semester at Sea Program, St George’s School, Rhode Island
Bahamas National TrustFamily Island Sea Turtle Research & Education,
BahamasFriends of the Environment, Abaco, BahamasCape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, BahamasThe Nature Conservancy – Bahamas ProgramPro-TAMAR, BrazilDept of Oceanography & Fisheries, University of
AzoresSea turtles can use all the help we can give them, and some people go above and beyond….
If you’re interested in donating an aircraft or need more information
please contact:
Leslie Weinstein | True-Lock LLC (208) 375-4846 or (208) 484-7774
If you’d like more information about the Archie Carr Center for
Sea Turtle Research visit:
www.accstr.ufl.edu
Thank
You !!
Call
Today!