There are seven species of sea turtles throughout the entire world. All of them are either threatened or endangered.
Protecting sea turtles means so much more for our planet than saving a species, though. Sea turtles are considered a “keystone species,” meaning they’re crucial to our ecosystems. They control prey such as jellyfish, graze on seagrass to keep ocean beds healthy, and provide nutrients to coastal vegetation through their nests.
They’re also an indicator of how healthy our ocean is. By protecting sea turtles, we’re protecting something much bigger—our beaches, oceans, mangroves, and our planet.
Nesting: A Fight for Survival
Each year between April and September, female sea turtles come to shore to lay their eggs. These hatchlings only have a 1 in 1,000 chance of surviving to adulthood. Ghost crabs, raccoons, birds, and foxes prey on baby turtles, impacting their survival. But humans are also a large threat.
Overcrowded beaches put sea turtle nests at risk of being trampled by beachgoers. Coastal developments take up space for sea turtle mothers to lay their eggs safely. And deadly obstacles make the journey from land to sea a harrowing one for freshly hatched sea turtles.
Once baby sea turtles hatch, they must make it to the water as quickly as possible to survive. But predators can swoop in quickly and cut their journey short. Light pollution - disorienting bright lights from boardwalks and beach homes - can mislead turtles, causing them to head toward the lights instead of the water.
Our Unique Response
At Greater Good Charities, we believe the well-being of people, animals, and the environment are all interconnected. Disruption to one part can ripple across entire ecosystems. That’s why we’re dedicated to protecting species that are at-risk, threatened, and endangered in their habitats.
Since our inception, Greater Good Charities has protected more than 30 endangered species and more than 1.2 million acres of habitat. We use a holistic approach by mitigating conflict between humans and wildlife, responding during natural disasters and extreme weather events, providing food and medical care to animals, and more.
To ensure threatened and endangered sea turtles can survive and thrive, Greater Good Charities is committed to working with local organizations to protect them and give their babies a fighting chance at survival.
Protecting Nests, Saving Lives
We’re working with local organizations to protect nests by providing cameras to monitor their activity, shelter them from light pollution, and ensure beachgoers know to stay away with informative signage. By intervening the moment a sea turtle lays her eggs, we can ensure as many hatchlings as possible will survive.
Because when we protect sea turtles, we’re not just saving a species—we’re helping restore balance to our oceans and hope to our planet.
