Caretta Research Project

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Savannah, GA
Caretta Research Project

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Research and Conservation

*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

06/18/2026

🐢 VOLUNTEER WITH SEA TURTLES THIS SUMMER! 🌊
Join the Caretta Research Project on Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge!

Spend a week living and working alongside sea turtle researchers while helping protect nesting loggerhead sea turtles on Georgia's coast.

Volunteer Openings Available:

July 18–25 — 2 Openings
July 25–Aug 1 — 1 Opening
Aug 1–8 — 1 Opening
Aug 8–15 — 1 Opening
Aug 15–22 — 2 Openings

🐢 Monitor nesting sea turtles
📊 Collect scientific data
🌅 Experience breathtaking sunrises & sunsets
🏝️ Live on a remote barrier island
🤝 Work alongside passionate conservationists

No prior sea turtle experience required.
Training provided. Volunteers should be comfortable walking long distances on the beach, working outdoors in summer conditions, and living in close quarters with a small team. This is an eco-experience that volunteers pay for.*

📧 Apply or learn more:
carettaresearchproject.org
[email protected]

06/12/2026

June 11th is Olive Ridley Day! Known for their mass nesting events called “arribadas,” these turtles can gather in the tens or hundreds of thousands. Learn more about Olive Ridleys at www.seeturtles.org/olive-ridley-turtles.

One of the top threats to sea turtles is consumption of their eggs and meat. In most places, consuming sea turtles or their eggs is illegal but a thriving black market exists around the world due to the belief that their eggs are aphrodisiacs. Learn more about this threat here: www.seaturtleweek.com/consumption

06/11/2026

Today we honor Kemp’s Ridleys, one of the most endangered sea turtle species, and the smallest! Their average weight is only 75-100 lbs. We're lucky enough to have a hybrid Kemp's Ridley x Loggerhead on Wassaw!

Sea turtles are vulnerable to ocean pollution at all stages of life, from eggs to hatchlings to juveniles to adults. Pollutants include things like toxic metals, pcb's, petroleum products, and agricultural and industrial runoff of contaminants such as fertilizers, chemicals, nutrients, and untreated waste. Learn about these turtles and the impact of ocean pollution at www.seaturtleweek.com/kemps-ridley-day.

06/09/2026

For Sea Turtle Week we will learn and celebrate one of the 7 different species each day this week!

*FLATBACK DAY*

These unique sea turtles enjoy feasting on jellyfish, sea cucumbers, and soft corals. Discover more about flatbacks at www.seaturtleweek.com/flatback-day.

*THREATS*

Development on the coast can affect sea turtles in many ways. Lights can deter nesting turtles and attract hatchlings, beach armoring and construction prevents nesting, and with development comes pollution. Learn more about how coastal development and tourism threatens sea turtles here: www.seeturtles.org/coastal-development.

06/08/2026

🌊🐢 Happy World Ocean Day! 🐢🌊

Today we celebrate the ocean that sustains life on Earth and the incredible sea turtles that call it home.

For 54 years, the Caretta Research Project has worked to protect and study sea turtles on Georgia's coast, helping ensure a brighter future for these ancient mariners and the ecosystems they support.

Every nest protected, every hatchling released, and every volunteer effort contributes to healthier oceans for generations to come.

💙 Reduce plastic pollution.
💙 Respect wildlife and nesting beaches.
💙 Support ocean conservation.

Healthy oceans need healthy sea turtle populations—and healthy sea turtle populations need healthy oceans.

🐢🌊💙

06/04/2026

Tell the Trump administration not to weaken much-needed protections for North Atlantic right whales!

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. 🐢

Address

Savannah, GA
31401

Telephone

+19127049323

Website

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

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