Care For Hedland Environmental Association Inc (the Association) has returned from the 44th International Sea Turtle Symposium (ISTS44) in Kona, Hawai‘i, after a landmark week of global collaboration, scientific exchange and international recognition for its over two decades of community‑led conservation in Port Hedland, Western Australia.
The 44th International Sea Turtle Symposium was held 28th February to 6th March 2026. Over 860 researchers, students, conservationists, and volunteers from around the world representing the global community working together to protect marine turtles and their habitats came together for ISTS44. The event included workshops, as well as the Symposium presentations and explored themes of behaviour change, use of technology, advances in monitoring, building communication, showcasing programs and efforts from around the world. The event helped to create linkages between communities, sea turtle managers and policymakers at all levels with the latest up to date information coming out of sea turtle research and conservation programs from around the world.
Presenting their PowerPoint slide show Flatback Turtles & The Power of Community, the Association shared insights from its 22 seasons of turtle monitoring. One of Western Australia’s longest-running community science datasets for Flatback turtles. The presentation highlighted how volunteers have documented nesting seasonality, population structure, hatchling emergence and disturbance impacts on Port Hedland’s three urban beaches. Collected data assisting to demonstrate that Cemetery Beach is a regionally significant Flatback rookery and where long‑term data has shaped waterside activity schedules, lighting mitigation and influenced coastal development.
Founder and Operations Manager Kelly Howlett gave an 8-minute presentation on the monitoring, conservation and the Association’s effort to secure the future of Flatback turtles in Port Hedland. “This was a fantastic opportunity to rub shoulders with fellow researchers, policymakers, managers and organisations involved in the protection of sea turtles from around the world and to bring something back that can be used to add value to our local program. The Symposium offered an exciting and valuable opportunity to showcase Port Hedland and the efforts that have been taking place locally for over twenty years” said Ms Howlett.
Across the week, Care For Hedland also operated a vendor stall showcasing the Pilbara’s unique Flatback population, its’ education efforts and the power of grassroots stewardship. Delegates from more than 60 countries engaged with Hedland’s turtle monitoring story, where data collected by volunteers and analysed by experts has informed local decision‑making and where community pride has protected a vulnerable urban turtle rookery under pressure from lighting, landside and waterside development and climate‑driven sand temperatures.
A major highlight from ISTS44 was the Association joining a new Global Irrigation Sand Cooling Collaboration, connecting researchers trialling climate‑adaptation methods to reduce lethal sand temperatures at turtle nesting beaches. This aligns with the Association’s own proposed sand cooling trials and long‑term climate resilience work.
Capping off the week, the Association was honoured with the ISTS44 Grassroots Conservation Award, recognising outstanding community‑driven impact. The Award celebrates the efforts of the Association to protect and conserve Flatback turtles for over two decades.
Care For Hedland’s presence at ISTS44 reinforces that regional communities can lead globally significant conservation, ensuring Flatback turtles continue their ancient relationship with Port Hedland for generations to come.
Story supplied by Care for Hedland
For any further information and/or details about the Hedland Community Volunteer Turtle Monitoring Program please do not hesitate to reach out to Operations Manager Kelly Howlett email: opsmanaer@careforhedland.org.au or (mob) 04399 41431.