Heather Shipp, Scientific Intern GTCP Season 2017/18

Hi, my name is Heather Shipp and I am from Utah, USA. In May 2016, I graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science. I first began working with sea turtles during the summer of 2015 as a volunteer for a non-profit organization called ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. I stayed on the beautiful island of Zakynthos and helped monitor the nesting beaches of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), as well as raised awareness among tourists and locals. I have recently finished a 6-month sea turtle internship with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation in Florida. While there, I was able to work primarily with loggerheads and some green turtles (Chelonia mydas) as I helped with the conservation of their nests and beaches. I am very excited to be a part of the Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program this season! I am looking forward to gaining further field experience with sea turtles in addition to learning the unique fauna and flora of Western Australia!

By Heather Shipp, GTCP Scientific Intern