Stantec and Chevron Australia launch the 2024/2025 Gorgon Flatback Turtle Monitoring Program
One of Australia’s largest turtle monitoring programs commences with the help of volunteers
12/06/2024 PERTH, AUSTRALIA TSX, NYSE:STN
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, is partnering with the Gorgon Project, operated by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd (Chevron), to deliver the 2024/2025 Barrow Island and Mundabullangana Flatback Turtle Monitoring Program. The project, which supports wider conservation efforts for Flatback Turtles, successfully launched on 08 August 2024.
Between now and early February, nearly 100 volunteers, subcontractors and Stantec staff will undertake 15 to 18 day assignments on the remote Barrow Island or at the Mundabullangana Station in mainland Western Australia, collecting scientific data on turtle behaviour to support conservation and management efforts.
This collaborative effort is spearheaded by Stantec’s Dr. Ruchira Somaweera, Lead for Ecology and Principal Scientist; Dr. Fiona Taukulis, Business Leader, Environment WA; Dr. Glenn Shiell, Marine Biology Lead; Loraine Roberts, Project Management Lead; working with Dr Sean Williamson, Lead Turtle Biologist. Together, they bring over a century of experience in wildlife field research and project management.
Building on Chevron’s long-standing marine turtle monitoring initiative, which began in the 2004/2005 nesting season, Stantec will be responsible for documenting thousands of flatback turtles that visit the sites for nesting. Additionally, Stantec will collect information on hundreds of turtle nests laid, including studying the nest temperatures and hatching success rates.
Dr. Somaweera highlighted the importance of this program, stating, “This is a landmark project in the state and one of the longest-running and largest turtle monitoring programs. The knowledge gained about the long-term ecology and movements of these turtles, which only nest on Australian beaches, helps us manage these populations more effectively and contributes to our understanding of this unique species.”
Stantec’s Kai Krueger, Environmental Scientist, who is leading two field surveys added, “Educating and involving volunteers is a vital part of the program and allows us to monitor these populations on a significant scale.”
Stantec is committed to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Visit stantec.com to see how Stantec explores the trends, innovations, and challenges impacting how we manage the environment.
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