Turtle Island Restoration Network

06/03/2026

A rare olive ridley sea turtle has been documented nesting in Florida for the first time - a remarkable discovery that may also signal changing oceans.

Researchers suggest warming ocean temperatures could be influencing this species' movement beyond its traditional nesting range. While exciting, the expansion of olive ridley nesting into areas occupied by the critically endangered Kemp's ridley raises important conservation questions...

If olive ridleys begin reproducing within Kemp's ridley's nesting range, scientists warn it could become another climate-driven challenge for the world's rarest sea turtle.

As oceans change, so do the threats facing vulnerable species. Continued monitoring and research will be critical to understanding what this means for sea turtle conservation.

Photo of Tini, a rare olive ridley sea turtle, nests on Jupiter Beach. Credit: Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

05/30/2026

The Gulf of Mexico is home to one of the rarest whales on Earth — the critically endangered Rice’s whale. Found nowhere else in the world, this magnificent species survives in waters increasingly threatened by offshore oil and gas drilling, industrial noise, ship strikes, and the ever-present danger of catastrophic oil spills.

This Bonfire gear was created to honor the Rice’s whale and the fragile Gulf ecosystem it calls home during Endangered Species Day, Ocean’s Month and beyond — and to stand against efforts to weaken the protections keeping these species from extinction.

Shop with Purpose! 100% of proceeds support TIRN's Ocean Program ➡️ www.bonfire.com/protect-the-rices-whale

In March 2026, the federal Endangered Species Committee — often called the “Extinction Committee” or “God Squad” — voted to exempt offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf from critical Endangered Species Act protections. The unprecedented decision puts vulnerable marine wildlife at even greater risk while setting a dangerous national precedent for endangered species protections.

Turtle Island Restoration Network is fighting back. Alongside Healthy Gulf, Friends of the Earth, and Sierra Club — represented by Earthjustice — TIRN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore Endangered Species Act protections for imperiled Gulf wildlife threatened by offshore drilling activities.

This shirt represents more than awareness. It represents resistance. Every purchase helps amplify the fight to defend the Gulf of Mexico, protect endangered marine species, and hold decision-makers accountable for putting corporate interests ahead of wildlife and ecosystems.

The Rice’s whale is a rare Gulf treasure — fragile, imperiled, and worth fighting for!

05/28/2026

The Kemp’s ridley nesting season is going strong and has surpassed the record from the 2025 nesting season of 449 nests!

As of May 28th, 475 nests have been found along the Texas coast! If you are fortunate to see a nesting sea turtle, please immediately call the sea turtle hotline, 866-turtle5 and please give the nesting female at least 30 feet of space to complete the nesting process. The nesting season may continue through mid-July, so stay tuned for updates.

To support our work for sea turtle protection on the Texas coast, please consider adopting a nest at www.seaturtles.org/adopt-a-nest 🧑‍💻

Total numbers of nests found this year, by species and area, are courtesy of Dr. Donna Shaver, Texas Nesting Coordinator and presented by Turtle Island Restoration Network Gulf Program Director, Joanie Steinhaus. Follow along with us:
https://seaturtles.org/turtle-count-texas-coast/

Please note that the data presented here are preliminary. Do not cite or quote without permission. Contact Dr. Donna Shaver for further information. Updates regarding nesting are also posted at the Padre Island National Seashore website: www.nps.gov/pais.

Photo: Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings climbing out of their nest. In 1996, only about 2,000 Kemp’s ridley nests were laid on the main nesting beaches in Mexico. In 2022, the recovering population laid around 17,000 nests.

Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Wendy Teas

05/27/2026

Did you know that there are an estimated 372 North Atlantic right whales left?! Just a couple days left to defend vessel speed rules and help prevent extinction. Can you help us reach 2K comments ➡️ https://seaturtles.org/action-alert-vessel-speed-rules-save-north-atlantic-right-whales/

With fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales left, we cannot afford to roll back protections that save lives 🐋

NOAA’s own research shows vessel speed limits reduce deadly whale strikes by nearly 90% — yet proposals are moving forward to weaken the very rules designed to protect this critically endangered species.

Since 2017, at least 27 right whales have been killed or seriously injured by vessel strikes. Enforceable protections work. Voluntary measures do not.

A North Atlantic right whale mother and her newborn calf swimming in Cape Cod Bay. Video credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, NOAA NMFS permit  #21371

       WildlifeProtection SaveTheWhales

05/27/2026

TIRN has had a presence in the Gulf for decades, and a full-time on the ground staff member since May 2013. In 2014, an ad was posted in our local paper requesting volunteer help, and the first person to respond was Sandra Sullivan... Sandra walked into the center and stated, “I’m here to help, what do you need me to do?”

Sandra remained a volunteer for years and she was recognized in the 2024 The Art of Saving Sea Turtles event as our first volunteer! For over 12 years, she remained supportive and we are eternally grateful for her continued support and friendship.

Sandra passed away on April 24th, and she will be deeply remembered by so many for her passion for the island and wildlife. The Gulf team extends our deepest sympathy to her family and friends 💙

05/19/2026

TIRN and Turtle Island Restoration Network - Gulf of Mexico is proud to partner with The Gulf Trust, HEB’s Our Texas, Our Future as well as TPWFoundation, KeepTXBeautiful, WithMender, Yogi Bins and over 60 local conservation groups to protect Texas waters!

We are super excited to get the support of Yogi Bins (the Litter Gitter will be raffled off at TIRN’s cleanup, along with HEB gift cards)!! See photo #2 for the Litter Gitter ♻️

Sign up for the TIRN Galveston event on May 26th at www.seaturtles.org/event/trash-free-gulf-cleanup-may-26

Join the movement and find a cleanup near you at www.trashfreegulf.com.

05/19/2026

Wonderful news from the Gulf! On May 15th, 88 local Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests were located in Texas, more than recorded on any other single day of nesting along Texas' coast! These magnificent ladies are breaking records, do you think they're on track to beat last year's? As of May 16th, 388 total nests counted so far this season.

Follow along with us at seaturtles.org/turtle-count-texas-coast 🥚

Kemp's photo by Ron Wooten.

05/18/2026

05/15/2026

Today is , so what better opportunity than now to spotlight a handful of the incredible creatures we fight year-round to protect!

The Endangered Species Act has protected wildlife from extinction for more than 50 years — helping bring iconic species like the bald eagle, humpback whale, gray wolf and American alligator back from the brink.

But today, these lifesaving protections are under attack. The current administration is rolling back key safeguards for endangered species and opening the door for more offshore drilling, habitat destruction and industrial expansion at the expense of wildlife.

At a time of accelerating extinction and climate crisis, we should be strengthening protections for endangered species — not weakening them. The ESA is one of our nation's most effective and impactful laws, and we must defend it... for our future and our blue-green planet!

05/15/2026

The Gulf of Mexico is home to one of the rarest whales on Earth — the critically endangered Rice’s whale. Found nowhere else in the world, this magnificent species survives in waters increasingly threatened by offshore oil and gas drilling, industrial noise, ship strikes, and the ever-present danger of catastrophic oil spills.

This shirt was created to honor the Rice’s whale and the fragile Gulf ecosystem it calls home during Endangered Species Day, Ocean's Month and beyond — and to stand against efforts to weaken the protections keeping these species from extinction.

In March 2026, the federal Endangered Species Committee — often called the “Extinction Committee” or “God Squad” — voted to exempt offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf from critical Endangered Species Act protections. The unprecedented decision puts vulnerable marine wildlife at even greater risk while setting a dangerous national precedent for endangered species protections.

Turtle Island Restoration Network is fighting back. Alongside Healthy Gulf, Friends of the Earth, and Sierra Club — represented by Earthjustice — TIRN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore Endangered Species Act protections for imperiled Gulf wildlife threatened by offshore drilling activities.

This shirt represents more than awareness. It represents resistance. Every purchase helps amplify the fight to defend the Gulf of Mexico, protect endangered marine species, and hold decision-makers accountable for putting corporate interests ahead of wildlife and ecosystems.

The Rice’s whale is a rare Gulf treasure — fragile, imperiled, and worth fighting for!

https://www.bonfire.com/protect-the-rices-whale/