WWF-Australia - for a living planet

Ningaloo Community Turtle Monitoring Program

The NCTMP is a community-based monitoring program that is designed to provide high standard marine turtle nesting information through the collection of data on successful nesting emergences, false crawls, disturbance and spatial and temporal distribution of the three main species nesting in the Ningaloo Region: green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles.

Volunteers spend approximately 2-3 hours each morning collecting data on turtle nesting beaches from December to February each year. No previous experience is necessary to participate as a "Turtle Tracker" but volunteers must be able to walk up to 3km of beach every day, sometimes over rocky terrain, in hot weather.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • "Turtle tracking" - beach monitoring
  • Data entry
  • Remote camping and monitoring on the Ningaloo Reef beaches.
  • Educational activities and interpretive talks at the newly established Jurabi Turtle Centre
  • Assist with Turtle Rescues.
  • Complete a TAFE certified Turtle Tour Guiding Course
  • Obtain training in interaction protocols and assist turtle-visitor interactions on the beaches at night.
  • Regular social events
  • Leadership and organizational opportunities as a team leader.
  • Internship with CALM and the Ningaloo Turtle Program
  • Field methodology trainers

The Cape Conservation Group (CCG), Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) Exmouth District and David Waayers, PhD Candidate, Murdoch University (MU) formally established the Ningaloo Community Turtle Monitoring Program in 2002, with the assistance of a Threatened Species Network Grant and the involvement of WWF Australia. Since then, it has grown with a high level of interest from the local community of Exmouth, Western Australia and even overseas. The Program has become an excellent example of a collaborative conservation initiative with a high level of community involvement.

When: 01-Oct-2008 to 01-Aug-2009

Where: Exmouth, WA

Website: http://www.ningalooturtles.org.au/

Contact:
Ningaloo Community Turtle Monitoring Program
Ph: 08 9949 1676