UWI Biological Society

Hello  Turtle Watchers & Volunteers,

Nature Seekers would like to seek your assistance and the assistance of your friends & family in our beach cleanup project that will take place on the 4th March 2012. The activity will be conducted at three and a quarter mile mark (3 ¼ mm), Orosco Road, Toco Main Road, Matura. Activities begin at 7:00 am and would end at 2:00 pm. 

Matura beaches (Rincon & Orosco) are globally important nesting sites for critically endangered leatherback sea turtles; as part of our conservation initiative, Nature Seekers annually cleans area. This shoreline is 7.4km in length and we are hoping to clean 4km. The objectives of this event are to remove marine debris and litter that has accumulated and prevent successful nesting and facilitate success turtle viewing. Expected outcomes include:

• Eliminating obstacles that prevent females from nesting and hatchlings from emerging successfully.
• Providing a safe environment for the seasonal turtle viewing program.
• Supporting a sustainable community enterprise repurposing litter into crafts.

The waste glass collected on the beach will be converted into crafts by community members. 
Volunteers may also witness a daytime nesting turtle since turtles have already started nesting. The event can also provide an educational opportunity regarding the importance of protecting sea turtles and nesting beaches. We hope many of you can make it. Please share this information with your friends.

Objectives

• To rid the beach of all debris that can prevent the successful nesting of the marine turtles
• To provide a safe beach for viewing turtles during the season
• To educate the public of the need to prevent the pollution of the waterways
• To promote the upcoming turtle season.
• To have fun (Sand Turtle Competition)

Volunteers can assist

1. In bringing Garbage Bags, Water, Gloves, Extra Tools
2. Wearing comfortable, preferably worn pair of waterproof boots, sneakers or sandals are ok; T- shirt and jeans or sweat pants ( short pants if preferred)
3. Food high in energy, not weigh you down: good, low-glycemic carbs with some protein and just enough to be satisfying. Food - high-energy snacks, light weight, nutritious, high in carbohydrates e.g. Picnic style (sandwiches, nuts, raisins, chocolate, fruit and especially snack bars). At least two bottles of water  (soft drinks do not quench thirst adequately) 

It is important to clean the Matura Beach because it is located within the vicinity of two (2) large rivers (the Matura River and the North Oropouche River). During the rainy season large quantities of debris and drift wood flow down the rivers and gather along the beach or seashore. This makes it difficult for nesting turtles and hatchlings to gain access to and from the beach during the nesting season (March - September).
The Matura River passes along the community of Matura and the North Oropouche River passes along the community of Vega de Oropouche. Many tributaries that flow through other communities namely Turure, La Seiva and Sangre Grande also flow into the North Oropouche River which account for the high percentage of pollution on the Matura Beach. This in itself poses a serious problem for the leatherback turtles since they may feed on plastic bags for jelly fish.

For further information and tour
reservations contact:

Nature Seekers
PO Box 4535
10 1/4mm Toco Main Road, Matura, Trinidad W.I.
Tel/Fax: (868) 668-7337 or Cell: 366-1031
Email: natureseekers@gmail.com