Become a Turtle Tracker

Attention all freshwater turtle lovers – our native turtle population is at threat and needs your help.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Nature Conservation Margaret River Region are proud partners of the Murdoch University and South West Metropolitan Alliance-led Saving Our Snake-Necked Turtle (SOSNT) project.

Many of the southwest wetlands and waterways, including Wooditjup Bilya (the Margaret River), are home to populations of the snake-necked turtle which are under threat from a combination of increased drying, pumping from river pools, predators such as foxes and ravens, and lack of suitable nesting habitat.

The Shire has committed to a funding partnership which will provide the Margaret River community with opportunities to help save snake-necked turtles. You can learn about the turtles and the latest research, and how to contribute data using the “TurtleSAT” app. SOSNT also provides you with an opportunity to help protect this species under threat by receiving training to become a ‘Turtle Tracker’!

This includes tracking nesting females, protecting their nests, and logging this data on the TurtleSAT app – all of which will inform which actions will best conserve our turtle.

Come along to a session to find out more about this unique species, the project and how you can help just by using your smartphone.

After the turtle information talk, you will have the opportunity to be trained to join our “turtle-y cool” group of volunteer Turtle Trackers to help save turtles at a spot on the river near you. Nature Conservation Margaret River Region will help deliver the project through co-ordinating the volunteers as part of the Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program.

A light supper will be provided.

More info: www.SOSNT.net.au