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Marine Turtle Newsletter 94:18, © 2001

Marine Turtle Newsletter-Online

MCS Turtle Conservation Fund


In September 2001, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) launched its Turtle Conservation Fund to support marine turtle research and conservation projects worldwide. The MCS is the UK charity dedicated to the conservation of the marine environment and its wildlife and joint lead partner of the Marine Turtles Grouped Species Action Plan (SAP) for the conservation of marine turtles in UK waters and UK Overseas Territories.
The Turtle Conservation Fund is part of the MCS Marine Turtle Conservation Programme, which was established this year with the support of Cheltenham & Gloucester plc, the UK’s third largest mortgage lender. MCS has also accumulated funds through initiatives like ‘Adopt-a-Turtle’, launched by Professor David Bellamy in May 2001. The Turtle Conservation Fund will continue to benefit from Adopt-a-Turtle, sale of turtle merchandise and other fundraising initiatives.
Through the Turtle Conservation Fund, MCS will award grants to non-profit organisations and individuals who are significantly contributing to the conservation of the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtles and their terrestrial and marine habitat worldwide. Grants of no more than UK£15,000 and no less than UK£500 will be available to projects selected by the MCS award panel. All applications will be considered, although the award panel will prioritise applications from projects that satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

Priority funding criteria

• Projects that contribute to the UK Marine Turtles Grouped Species Action Plan (available at <http://www.ukbap.org.uk/Plans/Species/GP_turtles.htm>

• Projects that benefit local communities and promote their participation in conservation

• Research projects that contribute to the knowledge of marine turtles in a way that will enhance their conservation

• Projects that involve collaboration with one or more national government agencies

• Projects that contribute to the development of progressive approaches to environmental education and community involvement

• Projects that involve a mechanism of sustainability

• Projects where MCS can contribute primary funding

The full criteria for funding and application forms can be downloaded from the MCS website:

<http://www.mcsuk.org/>

or can be requested via post or E-mail. The award panel will meet three times a year to review proposals. The first deadline for the submission of proposals is the 1st of December 2001, thereafter application deadlines will be the 1st of April, August and December of each year.

For more information, please visit the MCS website or contact Sue Ranger, MCS Wildlife Projects Officer using the contact details below:

Sue Ranger
Wildlife Projects Officer
Marine Conservation Society
9, Gloucester Rd
Ross on Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 5BU
UK

Tel: ++44 1989 566017
Fax: ++44 1989 567815

E-mail: info@mcsuk.org
http://www.mcsuk.org