Sunshine Coast’s TurtleCare wins top award for protecting endangered species

A Sunshine Coast citizen science program with thousands of volunteers dedicated to protecting the area’s endangered marine turtles has been honoured by its community.

For five months over summer, 5,000-10,000 locals protect the turtles through beach patrols, school visits and public events.

A Sunshine Coast citizen science program dedicated to protecting the area’s endangered marine turtles has been honoured by its community.

With its thousands of volunteers, TurtleCare monitors and protects turtle populations from Buddina Beach all the way to North Bribie Island

The conservation program is co-ordinated through Sunshine Coast Council, in partnership with the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science.

TurtleCare’s volunteer group is made up of local residents who have access to nesting beaches.

For five months over summer, 5,000-10,000 locals protect the turtles through beach patrols, school visits and public events.

The annual Clean Up for the Hatchlings, now in its eleventh year, unites hundreds to remove litter before hatchlings emerge.

Six locals, Rhondda, Dot, Megan, Brian, Carolyn and Judith are so committed to protecting these endangered animals, they have been volunteers since TurtleCare was founded in 2005.

In 20 years since, this organisation has grown into a vital community initiative that informs environmental policy, supports biodiversity, and fosters deep connections between people and place.

TurtleCare has contributed to major conservation policies, including the 2017 National Recovery Plan, 2019 National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife and the 2023 Sunshine Coast Marine Turtle Conservation Plan.

Volunteers have also contributed to published scientific papers and multiple research projects.

With its thousands volunteers, TurtleCare monitors and protects turtle populations from Buddina Beach all the way to North Bribie Island.

For its hands-on monitoring, education, and advocacy, TurtleCare was given the Healthy Planet prize at the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards 2025.

Sunshine Coast Council’s wildlife conservation team leader and TurtleCare program lead Kate Hofmeister said she and the handful of volunteers who attended the awards were “so, so surprised” to hear they’d won.

“There was such an incredible group of nominees up on stage that we really didn’t think we’d have the opportunity to take the award home,” Ms Hofmeister said.

“When we won, one of our volunteers screamed very loudly in shock.

“We were so thrilled and honoured to have our work recognised that way.”

Ms Hofmeister said citizen science was “enormously important” in protecting endangered wildlife.

“It means we’re sharing the responsibility to monitor those populations and protect our natural areas,” she said.

“It also means our community is more connected with the environment and with nature.”

The thousands of volunteers are what makes TurtleCare’s conservation efforts possible, Ms Hofmeister said.

“We could not protect these species without the people who put in their own personal time for the benefit of our broader community and our biosphere,” she said.

“I think the most important thing about this award is that it recognises each and every one of their efforts.”