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NEWS RELEASE: July 18, 2002 |
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Volunteer Sea Turtle Monitoring
Program Receives Award
The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
volunteer sea turtle monitoring program received a 2002 Achievement Award
from the National Association of Counties (NACo). NACo was created in 1935
to serve as a national advocate for county governments. NACo’s membership
totals more than 2,000 counties, representing over 80% of the nation’s
population. In its 33rd year, the NACo Achievement Award Program recognizes
counties for improving the management of and services provided by county
government.
ERM initiated its volunteer-based sea turtle monitoring program in 1998. The
program produces a highly trained, organized group of individuals to collect
accurate and consistent sea turtle nesting data. The program’s 82 volunteers
survey sea turtle nesting activity along 4.5 miles of one of the most
important nesting beaches in Palm Beach County. Since its inception,
volunteers have contributed more than 3500 hours (valued at approximately
$52,500) and reported over 15,000 sea turtle crawls. Volunteers currently
monitor beaches in the Tequesta, Jupiter Inlet Colony, and Palm Beach areas.
ERM’s mission is to establish, maintain, and implement programs for the
protection, preservation, and enhancement of the land and water resources of
Palm Beach County. ERM programs include mosquito control, wetland
restoration, sea turtle monitoring, beach renourishment, artificial reef
creation, land development monitoring, natural areas acquisition and
management, vegetation salvage and petroleum storage tank compliance.
Contact: Carly Pfistner 561/233-2519
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