CAST Conservation Program
Implementing Organization
State of Alabama
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$935,061
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Species Restoration
Targeted Resources
Sea Turtles
Project Description
The Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle (CAST) Conservation Program will support existing sea turtle programs in Alabama by strengthening efforts to protect nesting sea turtles and enhance the survival of sea turtle hatchlings. The project will allow the continued operation, expansion, and enhancement of Alabama’s Share the Beach program under the management of the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF). The project will educate the public about the conservation of sea turtles in the wild, and identify and help minimize human threats, while at the same time promoting the region’s potential for sea turtle-based eco-tourism. In addition, the project will support focused education and training of ACF program staff and volunteers, with the goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of sea turtle nesting data collection. These data will be provided to local governments, the state, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to support their work in actively reducing threats to nesting sea turtles, nests, and hatchlings. These enhancements will ensure the Alabama program operates on a similar level with other programs throughout the southeastern United States and will increase Alabama’s contribution to overall efforts to support sea turtle restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. Properly trained ACF staff will organize and direct the expansion of the state’s important sea turtle conservation initiatives using established policies and protocols.
Contact
Amy Hunter(251) 621-1216
Amy.Hunter@dcnr.alabama.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/