Caretta Research Project, Savannah, GA (2026)

*The primary goal of the project is to monitor loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) activity and to protect nests on Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham County, Georgia.
*A second goal of the program is to educate the public on issues related to conservation and management of marine turtles via hands-on participation or public programming

05/28/2026

Week 1 of the 2026 sea turtle nesting season was a successful and fun kickoff! 🐢🌊

20 total sea turtle activities
12 nests documented
8 false crawls
1 stranding (counted as 0.5 turtle activity)

The first TWO nests on Wassaw were actually laid just before we arrived on May 7–8, and we were thrilled to locate both of them right away on our very first patrol morning on May 9th!

We were also excited to see several of our adopted turtles return to nest this week, including Sisu, Akupara, Rosie, Captain T, Presley, and Laura!

This week was made extra special by spending time with long-time volunteer Lynn and welcoming Sarah and Alli from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center — amazing long-time partners in conservation and education. 💙

Beyond the nesting activity, island life this week included:
Incredible sunrises and sunsets
Beach patrols and getting all the nest posts set up
Birding adventures
Cooking and cleaning together
Bananagrams & Boggle competitions
Lots and lots of laughter

Sea turtle season is always hard work, but weeks like this remind us why we love it so much. Thank you to everyone supporting our research, conservation, and education efforts on Georgia’s coast! More turtle updates coming soon… 🐢💚 Kris, Kristen, & Alden

05/25/2026

If you guessed that Miles was our special visitor over the weekend, you are correct!

Miles was first seen on Wassaw on June 8, 2018. She was a neophyte, which means she had never been tagged before. Thanks to our genetic collaboration with the University of Georgia, she proved to be a first-generation hybrid between a Loggerhead father and a Kemp’s ridley mother. She came back to nest on Wassaw NWR during the 2020, 2022 and 2024 seasons. Miles exhibits behaviors from both species, nesting at night and during the day!

Her average nest success rate is 54.62%, with several of them having been lost to storms and tidal events. We're fortunate to have seen some of her hatchlings in past years!

The 5th photo is of Miles'' hatchlings in 2024. The small grey hatchling on the left is one of hers with a loggerhead father, and the one on the right is a typical Loggerhead.

We can't wait to see her again this summer!! 🤩🐢

05/23/2026

Happy World Turtle Day from a very special Wassaw turtle!!! Can anyone guess who our dawn nester was this morning?!

Hint - She is a little on the smaller side. 🐢

05/18/2026

THANK YOU, Turtle Lovers! 🐢

We are beyond grateful to everyone who made A Night on the River such an incredible success — our sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, board members, local businesses, photographers, musicians, and every guest who attended, bid, donated, and celebrated with us!

Your support helps the Caretta Research Project continue sea turtle research, conservation, and education right here on the Georgia coast. 🌊

We truly could not do this work without this amazing community. THANK YOU for supporting sea turtles and protecting our coast for future generations! 💙

04/30/2026

✨ Art Donor Spotlight ✨

A huge THANK YOU to the incredibly talented artists and donors who made this collection so special! 💙

🎨 Over 25 pieces of art are now available in our silent auction—each one generously donated to support sea turtle conservation.

Featuring work from:
Jessica Oliff • Joanna Angel • EM Pottery • Patrick Dimond • LaTrelle Ferrelle • Steve & June Hernandez • Devin Cotter • Becky Connelly • Mermaid Cottages (and Mandy & Ally) • Helen & Kim Iocovozzi • Winslett Watson • M Studio • Parker Stewart Studio • Bellamy Murphy • • Bryan Stoval Photography • • Anthony Palliser • Labrot Art • Jane Mansel • Louis Dixon Art • Marcus Kenney Parade • Jennifer Nolan • Kurtis Schumm • Kate Woods • Mermaid Cottages

Our silent auction is LIVE!
Start bidding now and don’t forget to ❤️ your favorite pieces so you don’t miss out!

🔗 Visit the auction: https://tinyurl.com/yyknnszh

Supporting sea turtles, supporting art—it’s a win-win 🌊🐢🎨

Address

Savannah, GA
31401

Telephone

+19127049323

Website

http://www.carettaresearchproject.org/, http://lwrightcaretta.blogspot.com/

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