The Shell Game: Sponsorship of the Turtle Monitoring Network
By Katherine Verano in Christophe Harbour Foundation, Nature and Environment
While we here at Christophe Harbour have a great many people to thank for protecting St. Kitts' stunning, natural environment, the Dermochelys coriacea reserve their heartfelt gratitude for Dr. Kimberly Stewart, of the St. Kitts Turtle Monitoring Network.
Following a grant from the Christophe Harbour Foundation, Dr. Stewart and her team have worked diligently to educate our beach cleaning crews and landscape staff on the habits and habitats of the island’s sea turtles. The St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN) is a nonprofit organization that studies nesting populations and advocates for the strengthening of sea turtle protection laws. A nominee for the St. Kitts Tourism Authority’s 2011 Environmental Excellence Award, SKSTMN has proven to be an invaluable partner and educator for Christophe Harbour.
Dr. Stewart has initiated patrols along Sandy Bank Bay, and her team of volunteers is trained to locate turtle nests and relocate vulnerable eggs if they are in harm’s way. She has also trained Christophe Harbour staff to report nestings and has implemented the use of netted screening to protect those nests that proven immovable. This training that has already been proven invaluable when a Christophe Harbour security officer recently discovered a hawksbill turtle nest in the area surrounding the Beach House parking lot. He reported the finding to the SKSTMN turtle hotline, and Dr. Stewart’s magnificent turtle team quickly relocated the eggs.
In late April, a turtle nest was spotted in front of The Pavilion. The protective Leatherback mother, estimated at 1,000 pounds and a meter and a half wide, was visiting the nest every 9 days. Concerned by the proximity of the often-untended eggs to the Pavilion’s bustling social center, Christophe Harbour staff worked closely with Dr. Stewart and her associate, Gary Buckle, to fence the nest off and protect it.
We are proud of our sponsorship of the Turtle Monitoring Network and grateful to Dr. Stewart for the invaluable education she continues to offer to the Christophe Harbour team.