What started as a handful of passionate volunteers monitoring turtle nests has grown into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most successful citizen science conservation initiatives. This year, TurtleCare celebrates its 20th anniversary—two decades of dedicated effort to protect nesting marine turtles and their hatchlings.
Since launching under the early guidance of Dr Julie O’Connor and Sue Aspland, and in partnership with turtle expert Dr Col Limpus, the community-led program has mobilised hundreds of volunteers to patrol beaches, relocate nests, and educate the public. Six volunteers—Rhondda, Dot, Megan, Brian, Carolyn and Judith—have been with the program since its inception.
Sunshine Coast Council Wildlife Conservation Team Leader Kate Hofmeister said the program’s resilience in the face of coastal development, increased light pollution and extreme weather events was a testament to the dedication of its people.
“Volunteers have helped save thousands of hatchlings and contributed to real scientific research,” she said. “It’s a program that proves local action can drive global change.”
TurtleCare’s efforts have also extended to disaster response, including Cyclone Alfred and the Pacific Adventurer oil spill, where volunteers relocated affected hatchlings to safety.
To mark the milestone on World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), Council has released a commemorative video honouring the volunteers and the program’s legacy, now available on its YouTube and Facebook channels. https://youtu.be/lONahpBa2oU
