Turning to turtles

WILDLIFE education worker Sheila Stenning is swapping the exotic birds at Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust for leatherback turtles in Las Baulas, Costa Rica, having won an Earthwatch Millennium Award.

Sheila, from Barnham, who has worked at the WWT in Arundel for nearly 18 years, was delighted when Earthwatch told her in June she had been selected for the South American project.

Having submitted an application to the eco charity, backed by the Millennium Commission and Royal Sun Alliance, 55-year-old Sheila couldn t wait to get started.

She said: "It gives me the opportunity to be involved in a vitally important international conservation project that I would never otherwise have had the resources to participate in."

Working as a research assistant alongside leading scientists for two weeks, Sheila will be gaining data on leatherback turtle nesting ecology to ensure the turtle s future, as it is an endangered species.

On her arrival back in the UK, she will be able to use valuable experience gained during the trip to draw up a community action plan within the WWT.

Sheila has decided to develop the butterfly garden into a community-based garden, providing visitors with simple conservation ideas to use in their own garden.

She said: "When people come in, they will be able to see what they can do to encourage wildlife."

Sheila also wants the garden to be accessible to everyone, with wheelchair access as well as plenty to interest children. She hopes school teachers and children will use it as an important resource.

For the full story, see the Gazette, November 1.