FBA’s Team Turtle Central Queensland (Team Turtle CQ) recently celebrated its tenth birthday, an incredible milestone that highlights what can be achieved when the community comes together to protect its natural resources.
FBA’s Team Turtle Central Queensland (Team Turtle CQ) recently celebrated its tenth birthday, an incredible milestone that highlights what can be achieved when the community comes together to protect its natural resources. For Marine Turtle Scientist and long-time volunteer Karl French, the day was a nostalgic one. More than 30 volunteers, from Team Hatchlings to Curtis Coast and Capricorn Coast volunteers, gathered to celebrate and hear messages of appreciation and reflection.
Team Turtle CQ is a citizen science monitoring program that has been running since 2015. Volunteers record marine turtle nesting and hatching activity along the Capricorn and Curtis Coasts.
What began as seven volunteers monitoring six beaches in central Queensland, recording 54 turtle tracks, 24 nests and five emerged clutches, has grown significantly. Last season, 82 volunteers monitored 52 beaches across the region, documenting 694 tracks, 501 nests and 293 emergences.
Karl French and Lilly Seery
Karl has been part of Team Turtle CQ since the very beginning, and looking back on a decade of community involvement, he said the program’s growing reach is what makes him most proud.
He reflected on how the initiative began. “We started with local residents walking the beaches and recording what they saw.”
He explained that marine turtle monitoring is not limited to scientists or specialists.
“With the right guidance, volunteers can collect information that supports research and helps make a difference,” he said.
“Citizen scientists can play a meaningful role in protecting turtles and shaping the future of the species.”
Karl said one of the greatest rewards has been seeing how the experience touches people. He recalled moments where grown men, witnessing a turtle laying eggs for the first time, were moved to tears. For Karl, giving people those opportunities is one of the most powerful parts of the program.
Team Hatchlings' Piper Mills, Sienna Mills, Lilly Seery, Phoenix Milton, Owen Harris and Reef Hinchliffe
He also treasures the small moments. After training sessions, young volunteers have handed him drawings.
“When someone takes the time to do that, you know you’ve made a difference,” he said. “They’ve learned something, and there’s a good chance they will go on to care, and that’s what matters. It’s about learning and education.”
“Turtles can’t say thank you, but I know the awareness we’re raising, and the effort people are putting in, is helping them.”
Karl French, Bethlea Bell and Ian Anderson
Long-time volunteer Ian Anderson shared one of the moments that has stayed with him throughout his time with Team Turtle CQ. He recalled when a turtle with one missing rear flipper came ashore and struggled to dig an egg chamber. Ian stepped in to assist, helping her complete the chamber. Watching her lay her eggs was an emotional experience.
“It’s something I’ll never forget,” he said.
Three years later, the same turtle returned. This time she made several attempts before finally managing to lay unassisted, having learned to dig a chamber with just one flipper. Seeing her adapt and succeed on her own is something Ian says will stay with him for the rest of his life.
Reflecting on the past decade, Ian said his favourite moments come from watching volunteers experience the program’s magic for themselves. While not everyone sees a turtle lay, many spot tracks or other signs of activity, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge with them. “Seeing volunteers each year with that same sense of wonder is something special,” he said.
Bethlea Bell, Anyssa Mason, Tonya Wilson and Rebecca French
“None of it is possible without our volunteers walking the beaches each day,” she said.
“Their observations build the story of what is happening with turtles along the coast. Every season we get a clearer picture, and everything the volunteers do counts.”
Reef Hinchliffe, Tonya Wilson and Phoenix Milton
Tonya’s own journey with Team Turtle CQ began five years ago when her son and nephew, Reef and Phoenix, joined FBA's Team Hatchlings. She started taking them to events and was invited on a beach walk. “The kids loved it, and I could not help but fall in love with it too,” she said.
With turtle season now underway, Tonya said her focus is on supporting the volunteers. “We have already had a number of nests this season, which is exciting,” she said.
Flatback hatchling photographed by TTCQ Project Officer Anyssa Mason
Volunteers are now busy checking beaches for turtle tracks, nests, or signs of disturbance and logging their findings.
The data collected informs species management efforts as it is shared with the Queensland Turtle Conservation Program.
If you see a turtle nesting or find a track, you can report this to FBA through our online form.
If you encounter a stranded, sick or injured turtle, please report your sighting through the QWildlife app or call 1300 130 372 and press option 1.
