Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) operates one of the most successful and internationally recognized sea turtle conservation programs in the United States. For decades, the Sea Turtle Science & Recovery (STSR) program protected endangered Kemp’s ridley, green, and loggerhead sea turtles through science-based nesting patrols, hatchling releases, stranding response, and public education.

In recent years, stakeholders, volunteers, scientists, and coastal communities have observed changes in leadership and management that have reduced scientific continuity, limited public conservation programming, and disrupted a nationally recognized recovery program. Hatchling releases — a key conservation and education activity — have been sharply reduced, and the long-time Texas Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator, Dr. Donna Shaver, was removed from her leadership role.

These changes threaten endangered species recovery, weaken public trust, and undermine a program that also provides significant economic benefits to South Texas through nature-based tourism.

We respectfully call on the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to:

Reinstate Dr. Donna Shaver as Texas Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator
Restore science-driven leadership and autonomy to the STSR program
Conduct a leadership review of Padre Island National Seashore
Protecting endangered sea turtles is not political — it is a federally mandated conservation responsibility and a public trust. The STSR program must be allowed to operate based on science, expertise, and continuity, not administrative disruption.

I havee volunteered both at PINS and on Port A during both nesting and cold stunning seasons and these animals need our help. I was forunate enough to be able to release hatchlings back into the ocean and see the positive impact that the STSR has and the dedication of volunteers like myself and the staff has in response to sea turtles. For anyone that has seen a sea turtle while on our beaches and felt joy and excitement, this petition is to keep that possibility alive.