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My name is Gabi Kann and I live in Los Angeles, CA. This past summer, I had the most amazing experience at Praia do Forte, Brazil, where I did an internship with Projeto Tamar, a sea turtle conservation project.
At Projeto Tamar, I shadowed biologists and animal carers. I got to:
- Take care of injured sea turtles and learn how they recover
- Locate and support baby turtles who needed support to reach the ocean
- Help with other animals like stingrays and sharks
I’ve always loved animals, but being there made me realize how important they are for the planet, and how much they need our help.
What is Projeto Tamar?
Projeto Tamar is one of the most respected conservation programs in Brazil and in the world. If you visit Brazil, everyone knows Tamar. Their logo (a turtle!) is famous, and their work is a national symbol of hope for endangered animals.
Here’s why they’re so well known:
- They’ve released over 40 million baby turtles into the ocean since they started.
- They run 21+ research and conservation bases along more than 1,100 km of Brazil’s coastline.
- They protect five endangered sea turtle species—hawksbill, loggerhead, green, olive ridley, and leatherback.
- In some areas, nesting has increased more than 30 times since Tamar began its work.
- They employ about 1,200 local people each year, proving conservation can help both nature and communities.
Because of results like these, Projeto Tamar is recognized around the globe as one of the most successful sea turtle conservation projects ever. Scientists from other countries look to Tamar as a model for protecting turtles and oceans.
Why It Matters (Even If You’re Not a “Turtle Person”)
Sea turtles are what scientists call a keystone species. That means the ocean depends on them:
They keep jellyfish populations under control.
They help coral reefs and seagrass stay healthy.
A balanced ocean helps regulate the climate and even provides oxygen for us to breathe.
If sea turtles disappear, the whole ocean ecosystem starts to collapse—and that affects everyone, not just people who love animals.
Why I’m Raising Money
I don’t want my experience to just end with the internship. I want to give back and help Projeto Tamar keep doing their work. Donations will go directly to support things like:
- Rescuing and rehabilitating injured turtles and other sea animals.
- Expanding hatcheries so more baby turtles survive.
- Teaching kids and families about conservation.
- Supporting local communities with sustainable jobs.
From Me
My time at Projeto Tamar was honestly life-changing. Watching tiny turtles crawl into the waves for the first time was magical and I’ll never forget it. But I also saw how fragile their survival is. That’s why I want to help, and why I’d be so grateful if you could join me.
Thank you so much for supporting Projeto Tamar and helping protect sea turtles, the oceans, and our planet’s future.
Gabi Kann