Esme Saves the Turtles

The Bold Pursuit of an Environmental Cause

Esme (15) belongs to North Dianella Melaleuca Guides and is passionate about the environment. In fact, she is so passionate that she is doing her Queen’s Guide Award with an Environmental focus. Esme recently spent a week doing volunteer work monitoring turtles in the Pilbara. She spent her nights on Cemetery Beach in Port Hedland, watching for adult females entering the dune areas to lay their eggs. Most of the monitoring was after dark until about 1am. Esme observed the turtles for nesting behaviour and watched to see if the females successfully nested or abandoned the nest. As part of the team, Esme would also supervise members of the public who had come to see the nesting season, and educate them on the behaviour of nesting turtles and hatchlings. Each morning. Esme rejoined the team and checked for hatchling tracks to assess how many turtles had hatched overnight, as well as look for adult tracks. Once hatching was complete, Esme participated in nest excavation to assess how many eggs had successfully hatched from each nest. She also assisted in assessing the outcome of eggs that didnt hatch.

Esme's exciting turtle work will contribute to her Queen's Guide Award. She has been an inspiration to other members of her Unit in boldly pursuing her love of nature and conservationist aspirations.