Facing wind and waves that could sink the Navy’s sturdiest ships, flipper-bearing swimmers are racing through the oncoming path of Category 3 Hurricane Bill, with more storms on the horizon. Fans of the annual Tour de Turtles swimming marathon are following the race anxiously online to see how the storms will affect their favorite competitors. Being sea turtles, the racers in this event are ably equipped to survive the gauntlet of storms, but scientists with Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC), who are tracking the turtles by satellite, are excited at the opportunity to learn more about how endangered sea turtles are able to navigate through major ocean storms during their migrations. Uncovering the mysteries of sea turtle migration has been a focus of the CCC for five decades. The Florida-based nonprofit group, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, created the Tour de Turtles to allow anyone with Internet access to follow along as researchers document the annual migrations of sea turtles that nest in Florida and elsewhere in the Caribbean. This year’s Tour de Turtles is tracking four different turtle species as they unknowingly compete to see which swimmer can complete a turtle version of a marathon (26.2 hundred kilometers). The giant leatherbacks seem to have an unfair advantage given their long-range migrations from the Caribbean to the North Atlantic, but the loggerheads and green turtles are giving them a run for their money. A looming major hurricane could make the race even more interesting. Naya and Luna, two endangered leatherback turtles, are migrating through the Atlantic right now and appear to be on a collision course with the potentially dangerous Hurricane Bill. After being fitted with small satellite transmitters while nesting on the Caribbean coast of Panama in late June, Naya and Luna sprinted through the Caribbean and into the Atlantic—likely in search of their favorite meal, jellyfish. Lulu, a loggerhead turtle released in Florida, is hugging the northeast coast of the U.S. and could be in for a wild ride as Bill spins closer. “Learning where they travel and how they adapt to changing conditions, such as hurricanes, will help us better protect sea turtles,” said David Godfrey, executive director of Caribbean Conservation Corporation. “While we don’t really expect the storms to harm the turtles, it will be very interesting to see what impact they might have on the turtles’ migrations or behavior.” In reality, human-related activities such as longline fishing and marine pollution pose far greater risks to sea turtles. One of the goals of the Tour de Turtles is to raise public interest in sea turtles and the gauntlet of threats they face every day in the ocean. To track Naya, Luna, Lulu and the other racers as they migrate through the path of the storm, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org.

The 2009 Tour de Turtles marathon is in full swim and a new competitor has joined the race! "ReRe" is a loggerhead sea turtle released by the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Team from the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. She is sponsored by Rei Heroman and Teal Phillips, cousins from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their love of the ocean began at an early age, playing and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with their families. Learning to scuba dive ignited their adult passion for the aquatic life. Underwater, they discovered a beautiful jungle of marine animals with one creature standing out above all the others – sea turtles. Inspired, Teal treated Rei to the present of a lifetime for her 35th birthday this year – an adopted loggerhead turtle named ReRe in honor of Rei. Together, they are committed to raise money and awareness for this graceful animal and allow children all over the world to follow turtle ReRe on her journeys under the sea. Check out ReRe's page on the Tour de Turtles website to learn more about our newest addition! http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/announcement_post.html?gpp=16302

We need your help to generate support for special programs that protect marine turtles and other endangered wildlife. In the next few weeks the U.S. Congress will be making decisions about funding for the Multinational Species Conservation Funds and Wildlife Without Borders Programs, which protect more than 100 threatened species around the world. During the last Administration, CCC played a key role in ensuring these programs were adequately funded and convinced Congress to increase funding for the Marine Turtle Conservation Act, the newest fund in the program. We ask you to help once again. To learn how you can help sea turtles and other threatened wildlife, visit http://www.cccturtle.org/actionalerts.php?page=a_AA-MSCF2009 Thank you for your support!

CCC joined other conservation groups today to issue a notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service does not act to stop bottom longline fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. This comes after observer data revealed 1,000 threatened and endangered sea turtles were caught between July 2006 and the end of 2007. To read the news release, please visit CCC's press room at http://www.cccturtle.org/pressreleases.php?page=n_Gulf-of-Mexico-Longline-release To read the notice, please visit http://www.cccturtle.org/pdf/GulfBLLESA60DayNoticeLtr.pdf

Come kick off the season of giving with Caribbean Conservation Corporation at the Barrier Island Center in Melbourne Beach. Join us for refreshments and heavy hors d'oeuvres as CCC celebrates a fantastic year of sea turtle conservation and environmental education with a year-end party and fundraiser. Date: December 7, 2008 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Location: Barrier Island Center 8385 S Hwy A1A Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 Tickets: $10 online, by phone or at the door RSVP: 1-800-678-7853 or rocio@cccturtle.org The Barrier Island Bash will feature refreshments and hors d'oeuvres, auction items, including original art by Tia Lynn and Viola Knudsen, a year-end presentation by CCC's Executive Director David Godfrey, and more. Your $10 ticket also will be good for a discounted sea turtle adoption. For only $15 more, you can purchase a sea turtle adoption to help spread the message of conservation to family and friends. This event is a great opportunity to support your local community and the important wildlife that share the area with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments. You can call us at 1-800-678-7853 or write us an e-mail at rocio@cccturtle.org. We look forward to seeing you there! Check out: http://www.cccturtle.org/barrierislandcenter.php?page=bicbash for tickets!

In honor of all the Tour de Turtles competitors, Caribbean Conservation Corporation and MeGotta, Inc. are sponsoring a contest to see who can create the best Public Service Announcement (PSA)! Using the TurtlePlayer interactive game in the Tour de Turtles Community, you are invited to create and record your own PSA to help spread the word about sea turtle conservation. Contest participants will have until November 1st to produce and upload their informative animations. The winning video will be published on the CCC and Tour de Turtles websites. "The message of the PSA will be the most important factor in judging the contest," said Rocio Johnson, CCC's communication coordinator. "Creativity also will help score points. We want the public to have fun with sea turtle conservation." PSA submissions should help encourage anyone watching the video to learn more about sea turtles. With this goal in mind, audiences participating in the contest can really get creative. The TurtlePlayer has many interactive features that will help people design a great PSA. So what is a PSA? A public service announcement is usually a short radio or television advertisement for a good cause, in this case sea turtles. PSAs work to raise awareness and direct people to learn more about an issue. With these tips in mind, people can choose a variety of issues related to sea turtle conservation as the focus of their PSAs. Here are the rules: 1. Use TurtlePlayer in the Tour de Turtles Community; 2. No more than 30 seconds in length; 3. Focus on sea turtle conservation; 4. Must ask viewers to "take action" on the chosen topic; 5. Include music and text; 6. Include CCC's website (www.cccturtle.org) and the Tour de Turtles website (www.tourdeturtles.org); 7. The saved link must be e-mailed to newsletter@cccturtle.org by November 1st, 2008. A panel of CCC and MeGotta judges will vote on their top three finalists. The final three videos will be uploaded to the Tour de Turtles Community to give everyone an opportunity to vote on their favorite PSA. The winner will be featured on the CCC and Tour de Turtles website. For more information, please visit www.tourdeturtles.org. Good luck!

Taking the Kids by Eileen Ogintz - September 22, 2008 The beach is pitch-black, except for the light from the stars dancing across the sky. The ocean waves pound. And right in front of us, a huge green sea turtle (more than 300 pounds and three feet long) methodically drops her eggs into a nest she's dug deep in the black sand—more than 100 eggs in just a few minutes. We're on the 21-mile stretch of beach in the tiny northern Caribbean village of Tortuguero, Costa Rica, where more sea turtles nest than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. More than 80,000 green sea turtles lumber up onto the dark beach, their tracks resembling those left by tractor tires, to leave some 800,000 eggs each year, says Dan Evans, a spokesman for the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). Advertisement Tortuguero—the name means "place of the turtles"—is home to three species that nest regularly; greens, leatherbacks (the largest sea turtle species, up to 1,000 pounds), and hawksbills. During nesting season (different for each species, but can run anywhere from March to October), turtles will come ashore several times to lay their eggs and then they'll skip a year. Evans believes this skipped year is most likely related to food availability. During the nesting season, he says, "the female does not eat, so during her off year (or two for some species) she must find enough food to replace all the nutrients she used producing eggs, plus build up enough to do it all again." We are only permitted on the beach in organized tour groups of 10, and the rangers allow us to come fairly close, as long as we are quiet. "I've been doing this for 11 years and every day it's different," says our guide Heidi Saborio. Many of the lodges in this remote region arrange beach tours as part of a package. We stayed at the new Pachira Lodge, where we went to sleep to the cacophony of howler monkeys outside our cabins. You can also get information on arranging these night tours at the Tortuguero Information Center in the tiny village. The entire beach and most of the surrounding lagoons are part of the Tortuguero National Park, which is best seen by boat tour—again typically arranged where you are staying. Visit the Costa Rica tourism website for more information. As we stand in the dark, humid night, wiping sweat from our eyes, even the most blase teen in our Thomson Family Adventures group is wide-eyed as we watch a turtle drop round white eggs one on top of the other. (The eggs are leathery rather than brittle, our guide explains, so they don't break.) It's sobering to learn that only one in 10,000 eggs will survive to adulthood. When the turtle is done, she flicks her fins and begins to cover her three-foot-deep nest with sand and returns to the water. The kids giggle when we get sprayed with the flying sand. "It was scary at first because it was so dark, but it was really cool," said eight-year-old Sarah Kate Garrett from Savannah, Georgia. "A lot of people don't get to see that." In fact, we were pretty lucky to see a turtle nesting at all. We were told that more than half of those who head out on these evening turtle walks see nothing. I stand on the beach feeling privileged, remembering another isolated beach on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula where we happened upon just-hatched baby turtles as they struggled to make their way the few yards from nest to ocean. Most don't survive or even make it to the water and, years later, my kids still wonder if any of "our" turtles made it. Today, travelers can check the CCC's website to see who's ahead in the first-ever Tour de Turtles marathon, which tracks nine turtles as they migrate hundreds and even thousands of miles from their nests to their feeding grounds. Dan Evans of the CCC notes that while it is rare to see sea turtles nest or hatch, you may have a chance to observe them in their natural habitat whenever you visit somewhere tropical—Hawaii, Florida, or Bermuda, for example. For locations in Florida, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website. If you're visiting somewhere else, check to see what turtle programs are offered in that area. But why should we care about these weird-looking creatures that have been around for millions of years? Sea turtles are important strands in the web of ocean life. The CCC maintains that they play a big role in coastal ecosystems, eating sea grass and algae, depositing their eggs on shore where they transport nutrients from the ocean to coastal and inshore habitats. Sea turtles were once so abundant that they traveled in fleets. Today, experts estimate that the population is endangered because so many were hunted. The CCC's efforts over the last 30 years have helped nesting increase more than 400 percent here. (If your child is at least 14 and loves marine biology, your gang can sign on to help do turtle research during nesting season. Costs start at $1,399 for nine days.) During our night on the beach, we struggle against the impulse to reach out and touch the turtle's shell, or an egg. It's against the law. The rangers don't even permit us to stay as the mama turtle finishes covering her nest. She will leave her nest and return to the ocean. No parenting required here! It's been a couple of months since that night and those eggs have hatched. Let's hope at least some of them made it to the water. We're rooting for them. What Your Family Can Do to Protect Sea Turtles * Reduce the amount of plastic garbage you produce. It may end up in the ocean. * Don't release helium balloons. Like trash, they may end up in the ocean and sea turtles mistakenly eat them and die. * Reduce chemicals and fertilizers. They may get washed into coastal lagoons. * Turn off beachfront lights during nesting season. * Send an email to your local editor and member of congress about the importance of sea turtle conservation. See the educator's corner with programs for kids at the CCC website. * Adopt-A-Turtle throu

This week, Roxana was able to bring joy to a 6-year-old boy named Mattie. Mattie has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and began chemotherapy on August 7th. To help cheer him up during long hospital visits, his preschool director adopted Roxana, a participant in this year's Tour de Turtles. "Mattie is very excited to be the proud "parent" of a large green sea turtle named Roxana," said Victoria, Matties' mom. "We are thoroughly enjoying the new addition to our family!" In order to help Mattie, his family began a blog to tell everyone about his battle with cancer. In this blog, his family credits Roxana for reminding them of a valuable lesson. "We are learning that fighting osteosarcoma is a marathon and not a sprint," said Victoria. CCC would like to thank Mattie's family for reminding us that both sea turtles and Mattie are fighting, in their own way, for survival. To learn more about Mattie and read his blog, please visit http://mattiebear.blogspot.com/.

We need your help to prevent some potentially devastating changes to the Endangered Species Act that would be harmful to America's endangered species and their habitats and unpopular with the public. We have until October 15th to voice our concerns and ask that the proposed rule be withdrawn. Green HatchlingsThe Bush Administration has launched a major attack on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the cornerstone of environmental protection for America's wildlife, their critical habitats and our natural heritage since its passage by large Congressional bi-partisan majorities in 1973. With just a few months remaining of the current administration, political appointees at the helm of the Department of Interior proposed a series of sweeping regulatory rule changes entitled "Amending the Formats of the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants." These proposed changes undermine the ESA. CCC believes the proposed rule is bad public policy and should be withdrawn. The rule proposes to do away with protection for our public lands and wildlife without public or Congressional input. If implemented, these changes will undermine 35 years of established practice and significantly weaken the ESA by: * weakening protections for endangered species and their habitats protection; * removing scientific consultation by federal agency biologists; * and eliminating government responsibility to protect endangered species from the effects of global warming You can make a difference for sea turtles and all endangered wildlife by contributing to this discussion and letting the Bush Administration know you oppose these proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act and any attempt at weakening this landmark legislation. Read more details. You have until October 15th to express your concern and urge the Administration to withdraw this last ditch effort to gut endangered species protections in America. HOW YOU CAN HELP In an effort to limit citizen response, the Administration is not accepting email comments. You can provide comments by: 1. Sending a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne that will arrive before October 15, 2008. You can download a sample letter from CCC's website. OR 2. Sending your comments via e-mail to CCC at ccc@cccturtle.org by October 10th, so we can send a package of letters to Secretary Kempthorne's office before the October 15 deadline.

The U.S. Senate established Endangered Species Day as a national celebration of America's commitment to protecting our country's wildlife on the brink of extinction. It is an opportunity for people young and old to learn about everyday actions that help protect our nation's disappearing wildlife. Observed today, the third Friday of May, thousands of people throughout the country are celebrating Endangered Species Day at parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, libraries, schools and community centers. This year, you can show your support for America's endangered wildlife by pledging to do your part for sea turtles. Visit CCC's web site to sign the pledge! http://www.cccturtle.org/involved.php?page=esa-pledge If you really want to make a difference, forward this invitation to your family and friends so they can sign the pledge too. We want sea turtle enthusiasts everywhere to take action against the threats to their survival. Together, we can make a difference on Endangered Species Day!

The Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program, Parks & Recreation Department, and the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners cordially invite the public to attend the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Barrier Island Sanctuary Management and Education Center on May 10th, 2008. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and doors will open to the public at 9 a.m. The celebration will take place all day, with featured events including guest speakers, guided hikes, children’s activities, music and much more. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. The Barrier Island Sanctuary is located in south Melbourne Beach, at 8385 South Highway A1A, just 3 miles north of Sebastian Inlet. Overflow parking will be available at Chapel by the Sea (8240 South Highway A1A), located just north of the Sanctuary on the west side of A1A. A van will shuttle guests to the Center. The Barrier Island Center (BIC) is the EEL Programs’ second education center, following the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary Management & Education Center in Titusville. The 5,700 square foot center includes a large exhibit hall, 30-person classroom, 30-person auditorium, staff offices, gift shop, restrooms, and observation deck. Educational programs and exhibits will focus on barrier island habitats, local flora and fauna, sea turtles and sustainable living practices. The 34-acre Barrier Island Sanctuary was a donation to the citizens of Brevard County by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and includes a 3 /4-mile long trail through several unique barrier island habitats. The Sanctuary provides a living classroom for school field trips, and provides passive recreation opportunities including hiking, bird watching, photography, and fishing. The BIC is located within the Archie Carr Refuge, one of the most important nesting areas for sea turtles in the world. The non-profit Caribbean Conservation Corporation, the oldest sea turtle conservation group in the nation, has partnered with the County at the Barrier Island Center to offer guided sea turtle walks during the nesting season. For further information on the Barrier Island Sanctuary Management and Education Center or the Ground Breaking Ceremony please call the Barrier Island Center at (321) 723-3556.

In Native American folklore, Earth is embodied by a turtle floating in a huge, primal sea. This Earth Day, why not honor the Earth and sea turtles by adopting one of these ancient creatures? Although sea turtles have lived on the Earth for more than 100 million years, all seven species now face extinction. That's why the Caribbean Conservation Corp (CCC) is offering a sea turtle adoption as the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day and to demonstrate your concern for the environment. Sea turtles overcome incredible obstacles to complete their life cycles. They navigate thousands of miles of ocean, facing pollution, nets, and other deterrents as they migrate from their feeding grounds to their nesting areas. They compete with rapidly spreading oceanfront development to find suitable places to nest. In some parts of the world, sea turtles are still hunted and killed as they crawl ashore. "The demise of sea turtles is telling us something about the way we are neglecting the Earth," said David Godfrey, executive director of CCC. "Adopting a turtle for Earth Day is a great way to begin giving back to the Earth what we have taken away." To adopt a sea turtle for Earth Day, call the CCC at 800-678-7853 or visit CCC’s web site at www.cccturtle.org. With a tax-deductible donation of $25, the CCC will send a personalized adoption certificate, a sea turtle conservation guide, a colorful decal and magnet, and a one-year subscription to CCC's newsletter, the Velador, all in a beautiful folder. Turtle adoptions support the sea turtle research, conservation and advocacy work of Caribbean Conservation Corp. Caribbean Conservation Corporation is an international nonprofit and the world's oldest marine turtle research and conservation organization. Founded in 1959 to support the pioneering work of world-renowned naturalist and author, Dr. Archie Carr, the Florida-based organization is dedicated to ensuring the survival of sea turtles through research, education, advocacy and the protection of the natural habitats upon which they depend.

We need your help to prevent big cuts in special programs that protect marine turtles. President Bush has again asked Congress to slash funding for the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. CCC activists helped to stop similar cuts in each of the last three years and convinced Congress to increase funding for the Marine Turtle Conservation Act, the newest fund in the program. You can help again by contacting your Congressional Representative by March 14th to urge key committees to increase funding for these programs. You can find a template of a letter to your congressman and read more about this issue on our website athttp://www.cccturtle.org/actionalerts.php?page=a_AA-MTCA2008