How to Get Involved
How Citizen Science can help save a species
Community involvement is critical to help us understand the distribution and status of cryptic species such as the southwestern snake-necked turtle, whose range covers a large part of the south-west of Western Australia. Citizen science can help lead to early detection of species decline and also recovery in places where conservation strategies are being trialled. Monitoring by citizen scientists helps us by identifying:
where the species is being seen
what it is doing
where the problems are (like road trauma and predation)
if some areas are used more by the species than others
Identifying a problem is the first step towards fixing it. Training citizen scientists to participate in conservation research increases the effectiveness of our work to protect biodiversity.
Who can be a SOSNT Citizen Scientist?
Anyone who has access to a mobile phone or computer and can use TurtleSAT.
Click the buttons to download the app:
What can I do?
There are two ways you can help save the southwestern snake-necked turtle:
1. Keep your eyes open for turtle activity during your everyday life, particularly during rain events, and log any observations to TurtleSAT.
Use TurtleSAT to record sightings of:
Snake-necked turtles (adult, juvenile & hatchlings)
Nests (either freshly laid or destroyed)
All of your turtle-related observations help to build a clearer picture of this mysterious species.
DO…
Log all your turtle-related observations on TurtleSAT
Keep at least 15 m distance from turtles when watching/monitoring them
If you spot a turtle on the road while driving, stop your car and allow it to cross safely
If you spot an injured turtle, call Wildcare Helpline immediately on 9474 9055
If comfortable, take intact
deceased turtles to WA Wildlife or your nearest wildlife centre –
as eggs can be successfully incubated and hatched
DON’T…
Pick-up or handle a live turtle, unless it is in immediate danger, as they will likely get stressed and return to the wetland without laying their eggs
Attempt to control traffic (please exercise extreme caution around roads)
Feed turtles or other wildlife – it is bad for their health and encourages reliance on humans. It is also detrimental to the health of wetlands.
Encourage untrained community members to protect nests. Instead, encourage them to become official ‘Turtle Trackers’.
Remove eggs from nests you deem to be unviable and incubate them yourself. Instead, contact SOSNT or DBCA and we will assess.
2. Become a trained ‘Turtle Tracker’.
To take your citizen science to the next level, become an official ‘Turtle Tracker’.
As a ‘Turtle Tracker’ you will be part of a trained and dedicated team that monitors a selected wetland for turtle activity during the nesting season and protects females and their nests during this vulnerable life-stage.
To become a ‘Turtle Tracker’ you will need to:
Register online to be part of this year’s SOSNT project.
Read the information we send to you about volunteering and the code of conduct.
Complete a SOSNT ‘Turtle Tracker’ training session at your nearest participating local council.
Be part of a roster of ‘Turtle Trackers’ at your local wetland during nesting season.
Record your observations on TurtleSAT and submit a shift summary after each tracking session.
For more information you can email SOSNT@murdoch.edu.au
Is my council participating?
All councils which are currently participating in the project are listed here.
If your council is not listed, please contact your local council to express your interest in the project.
Benefits of being a trained ‘Turtle Tracker’
There are numerous benefits, including:
Connecting with a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for conservation.
Positive effects on mental health, through gaining a sense of purpose and increasing your connection with nature.
Increase physical activity in an enjoyable way.
Gain opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action.
Actively contribute to valued data collection, monitoring, and conservation efforts to make a meaningful contribution to the preservation of a vulnerable species.
Information for potential partner councils
Local Governments across southwest WA are invited to participate in hands-on conservation and citizen science to better understand and protect the southwestern snake-necked turtle. The project will provide critical information that will be used to create and implement conservation management plans with input from and shared with all partners.
The project is being led by the Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance. Murdoch University is providing scientific expertise, citizen science training and support from the Turtle Ecology Team at the Harry Butler Institute, in association with NatureLink Perth and in collaboration with 1 Million Turtles who are dedicated to conserving freshwater turtles across Australia. Community volunteers will be insured through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Parks and Wildlife Volunteer program.
How it works
There are three levels of partner engagement to choose from:
Level 1
Community
Engagement
SOSNT will provide: an education workshop for the local community about the southwestern snake-necked turtle and how to use TurtleSAT; a signage template for wetlands or river areas; media resources, and; generic management guidelines.
Level 2
‘Turtle Trackers’ at one wetland
SOSNT will provide all Level 1 inclusions, as well as ‘Turtle Tracker’ support and a population survey for one wetland.
Level 3
‘Turtle Trackers’ at multiple or large wetlands
SOSNT will provide all Level 1 inclusions, as well as ‘Turtle Tracker’ support and a population survey for more than one wetland.
For more details about the contributions for the different levels of partnership and please review the 2023 Partner Invitation document.
Benefits of being a partner council
Enhanced community connection to, and understanding of, their wetland/s through empowering the community in a real‐world/on‐the‐ground citizen scientist programme where conservation efforts directly protect nesting female turtles, their nests, and hatchlings.
Creating a network of TurtleSAT users in your area will provide you with access to an ongoing assessment of turtle populations and nesting hot spots.
Gain information for management of invasive species, road impacts on wildlife, and changes to water flows, which are three of the largest threats to turtles.
Contribute to prevention of further declines and possible extirpation of southwestern snake‐necked turtle populations.
How to register your council
After reading the Partner Invitation document and deciding which level of involvement is most suitable, interested councils/groups may complete and submit an Expression of Support form.