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What is being done to protect sea turtles? How much do we really know about these long-lived, mysterious animals? What can we, as practitioners of ecological restoration, conservation, and regenerative design, do to better protect sea turtles and their habitats? Join us as we find out…

If you live near the coast, or spend a lot of time on boats, you have likely encountered a sea turtle. Those who witness a massive female coming ashore to lay her eggs; tiny hatchlings exiting a sandy nest and waddling, unguided, to the sea; or the head of a sea turtle breaking the surface of the water to take an audible breath; describe such encounters as magical…inspiring. But sadly, there are other, not so magical encounters we humans have with sea turtles.

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Sea turtles have existed for over 110 million years, and they are the most migratory creatures on Earth, so they know how to adapt to changing conditions. But in the short time we humans have been around, our actions have caused them to suffer severely.

The longevity of these animal is just one of many things that make them such fascinating creatures. There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, ranging in size from the Kemps ridley, which typically measures around 24 inches long and weighs up to 100 pounds, to the massive leatherback, which can grow up to eight feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

©National Aquarium

Sea turtles migrate hundreds or thousands of miles, following warm currents containing their food sources and often crossing or encircling entire oceans. The only exception is the flatback turtle, whose range is limited to the coastal waters of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Female sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Some nest many times per season; some, like the olive ridley, may nest only twice each season. For most species, a single clutch contains 80–120 eggs. Once the female nests, she re-enters the water, leaving her eggs buried in the sand behind her as she resumes her migratory journey.

When the tiny hatchlings emerge from the nest one cool night in the future, they will—at great risk of predation—find their own way to the water. Males will never again return to land. Females, when reproductively ready, will find their way back to the very same beach on which they hatched to lay their own eggs. And so the cycle has continued since the time of the dinosaur.

Leatherback hatchlings (Dermochelys coriacea), Bocas del Toro, Panama

According to Defenders of Wildlife, a sea turtle hatchling begins life with a 1 in 1,000 chance of surviving to adulthood. Hungry crabs, birds, and other animals may pose the most immediate threat to an emerging hatchling, but predation soon takes a backseat to the many threats driven by us humans. If the lights from our coastal developments don’t disorient the hatchlings and they actually make it to the ocean, they will then face a lifetime of threats in the form of bycatch, poaching, pollution, direct take, habitat destruction, boat strikes, and climate change. All species face these threats, and all appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Some, like the hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, and four populations of leatherback, are on the brink of extinction.

Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)

What is being done to protect sea turtles? How much do we really know about these long-lived, mysterious animals? What can we, as practitioners of ecological restoration, conservation, and regenerative design, do to better protect sea turtles and their habitats?

We also hear from three NOAA Fisheries experts who are actively involved in the protection of sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act.

There may not be sea turtles in Baltimore Harbor, but there is plenty of sea turtle conservation happening there through the National Aquarium’s exhibits, outreach, and animal rescue efforts. We visit the National Aquarium and meet three sea turtles who may be doing as much for conservation as the people who care for them.

The National Aquarium's Amber White with a rescued green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Jessica Norris reviews the book Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth’s Last Dinosaur by award-winning author and marine conservationist, Carl Safina.

We shine Leaf Litter’s nonprofit spotlight on the oldest sea turtle conservation organization, the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

There are many ways you can help further sea turtle conservation. One is to volunteer to help local agencies find and protect sea turtle nests and eggs.

Grant Jones, founder of the firm Jones & Jones and recent recipient of the first-ever LAF Medal for distinguished work in applying the principles of sustainability to landscapes, shares some of his ocean-inspired poetry.

We encourage you to learn more about sea turtles by exploring our list of Resources.

We share some exciting news about the latest Biohabitats Projects, Places, and People.

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