NFWF’s Sea Turtles Conservation Program Announces $900,000 in New Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 19, 2024) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced nearly $900,000 in grants to aid in the recovery of sea turtle populations along the coastal waters of the United States and the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The grants will generate more than $967,000 in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of more than $1.8 million.

The grants were awarded through the Sea Turtles program, a partnership between NFWF, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“The Sea Turtles program is the longest running conservation program at NFWF, supporting the management responsibilities of our two charter agency partners,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “As we celebrate our 40th year in conservation, we are excited to see the progress sea turtle populations have made in the Western Hemisphere and to continue to build on decades of work to secure recovery trajectories for these iconic species.” 

New funding in 2024 was available for organizations that provide sea turtle stranding response and/or rehabilitation in the United States and its territories. Support from these awards will help these first responders and sea turtle hospitals build their capacity to respond to stranded and injured sea turtles and provide rehabilitation care through infrastructure upgrades. As climate change continues to disrupt weather patterns and sea turtle populations increase in number, facilities along the coasts must be properly equipped to respond.

“Sea turtle conservation and recovery requires a collaborative approach. These grants will help us respond to sea turtles in need of assistance and better understand the threats they face,” said Kim Damon-Randall, director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources. “All species of sea turtles found in U.S. waters are listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered or threatened. We greatly appreciate the hard work and commitment of our partners to conserve and recover these species.”     

Other projects announced today will support bycatch reduction and habitat enhancement efforts in key feeding and nesting habitats of hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles in Central and South America. These populations are two of the most endangered sea turtle populations in the world, and these efforts are working to stabilize these populations into recovery trajectories.  

“This is a critical piece in a larger partnership to ensure conservation and recovery of sea turtles,” said Stephen Guertin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deputy director for program management and policy. “NFWF-supported projects advance conservation and recovery of the most at-risk sea turtle populations in the Eastern Pacific region. This work informs us about threats facing sea turtles, while helping elevate public awareness.”

The Sea Turtles conservation program is the longest running program at NFWF, with investments dating back over 30 years to stabilize and increase the recovery trajectories of sea turtle populations in the Western Hemisphere. Over the years, NFWF has invested a total of $23.6 million toward sea turtle recovery and habitat protection. 

A complete list of the 2024 grants made through the Sea Turtles program is available here.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,000 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of $8.1 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit fws.gov.

About NOAA 
Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources. See how NOAA science, services, and stewardship benefit your community: Visit noaa.gov for our latest news and features, and join us on social media.

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Contact:

Rob Blumenthal, 202-857-0166, rob.blumenthal@nfwf.org