Local Heroes – tartAmare
This week we spoke to the team at tartAmare about their work with sea turtles and education around the importance of our oceans, their work is supported by Tuscany Environment Foundation (TEF) .
Tell us some more about your project
tartAmare is a nonprofit organization, whose main mission is the study and the conservation of Sea turtles. We deal with injuried sea turtles treatment and rehabilitation and, when they are completely healed, we take back them to the sea.
Our mission is also directed to the National research and study, with particular reference to central Tuscany where there there is a large population of Caretta caretta sea turtles. We study their reproductive biology through the collection of the data to explore this completely new and unknown terrain such as the reproductive phenomenon of this species at such high latitudes. Research also covers the study of migratory behaviour of this species, monitoring migratory routes through satellite telemetry.
We also deal with searching, monitoring and protecting sea turtles nests located on our coastlines until the hatching. We make awareness-raising activities, through the organisation of public and private events aimed at disclosing knowledge about the sea and the importance of protecting it.
Last but not least, our project involves environmental education activities for students of all levels: we organize educational courses, training courses, school camps, conferences, educational events and exhibitions.
What inspires your work? Why do you do what you do?
Love for the sea and the creatures who live in it is the first and greatest inspiration for us. Living close to the sea allows us to enjoy its presence every day, but also to observe what we can do to protect it. Rescuing sea turtles in distress is one of the tasks of the Recovery Centre but also spreading the culture of respect for the sea and its inhabitants to those who work in the sea, the fishermen first, and to people of all ages, is a mission to which we attach particular importance.
How has TEF helped you?
TEF’s support has allowed us to implement the monitoring and data collection activities during the nesting period and to deepen the scientific research through technical instruments essential to this kind of work.
What is the biggest challenge you face?
The biggest challenge we face every day is against those who do not understand that sea is life. The sea and its inhabitants are in danger and their salvation depends on our daily behavior: what seems like a small gesture can become very important if all of us put it into practice. Our biggest challenge is to spread this message and reaching as many people as possible.