Marine Turtle Conservation Fund

This program funds Marine Turtle and Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle (TFT) projects. Objectives of the Marine Turtle projects are to assist in the conservation of marine turtles and the nesting habitats of marine turtles in foreign countries by supporting and providing financial resources in the following areas: academic and technical training in the conservation and management of marine turtles; applied research on marine turtle populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring; conservation education and community outreach for the protection of nesting and near shore foraging populations; development and execution of marine turtle conservation management plans; habitat conservation and management; information exchange to promote international collaboration; projects to protect nesting females and eggs on important nesting beaches; promotion of networks, partnerships, and coalitions that assist in the implementation of conventions, treaties, protocols and other international activities for the conservation and management of marine turtles; protected area/reserve management of important nesting beaches; strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs on nesting beaches; and strengthening law enforcement capacity and forensics skills through training and equipment. Tortoise and Freshwater Turtles (TFT) represent one of the most imperiled animal groups on earth. Of the world's 342 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles, more than half face the threat of extinction. Habitat loss and the legal and illegal trade of turtles and turtle products (for food, pets, and traditional medicines, etc.) continue to drive sharp declines in turtle populations globally. The USFWS TFT Conservation Fund aims to support conservation efforts that conserve populations and habitats of freshwater turtles and tortoises most at risk by addressing their threats.