On one hot and humid day last summer, SCA member Dora Figueroa and her egg-running partner Jax were on the beach at 9 a.m., loading gear into their patrol vehicle.
Their mission? To cover 40 miles of beach searching for nests of the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle in the world.
“Finding a nest was always exhilarating,” said Figueroa. “A small beacon of success amid a vast expanse of sand.”
Dora Figueroa tags a nesting Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. (Photo courtesy of Dora Figueroa)
But finding the nests was only step one. Once discovered, the young conservationists would dig into the sand with precision and care, uncovering a clutch of fragile, perfectly round eggs. Each egg was then carefully transferred into a cooler filled with sand to help ensure safe transport.
By the time the sun began to set, the team had successfully collected three nests — six coolers packed with eggs — which they had secured in their vehicle.
Despite the bumpy ride back to the lab amid a raucous thunderstorm, Figueroa and her field partner returned triumphant that day with all their precious cargo intact.
“The exhaustion in our bones was nothing compared to the satisfaction of knowing we had given these turtles a fighting chance,” she said. “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
Dora Figueroa inspects a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. (Photo courtesy of Dora Figueroa)
Before her SCA experience, Figueroa was already passionate about marine conservation, but her time at Padre Island National Seashore solidified her commitment.
“I spent long nights monitoring hatchlings, ensuring their safe release, and even conducting egg analysis to study embryonic development and collect DNA and gonad samples,” she said. “Every moment spent in this role reinforced my commitment to protecting this critically endangered species.”
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings on their way to the sea. (Photo Credit: Chelsea Wilmot Photography)
SCA crew members have been helping protect the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle species from extinction since the late 1970s. Today, they are guided by the program’s legendary leader and SCA alum, Dr. Donna Shaver, and Acting Supervisory Biologist Hilary Frandsen, M.Sc.
Dora Figueroa with an endangered juvenile green sea turtle. (Photo courtesy of Dora Figueroa)
“Working alongside dedicated biologists and volunteers, I learned that conservation is not just about science—it is about perseverance, teamwork, and unwavering dedication to protecting species on the brink of extinction,” she said. “I now recognize the global interconnectedness of conservation efforts and the importance of expanding my expertise to other sea turtle species. My experience with SCA was just the beginning. I am eager to continue growing as a conservationist.”
