Sea turtles are a vital part of guams coastal ecosystems and hold ecological, cultural, and historical significance

Despite their importance, sea turtles face numerous threats including coastal development, habitat degradation, marine debris, and climate change. In guam, green sea turtles (chelonia mydas) are the most commonly observed nesting species, with hawksbill turtles (eretmochelys imbricata) sighed less frequently. As a protected species under both local and federal law, ensuring the long-term survival of sea turtles requires a coordinated, science-based approach to monitor, response, and conservation. This project aims to build the capacity of guams sea turtle program at the department of agriculture (doag) in the division of aquatic and wildlife resources (dawr), through the development of targeted tools and system that expand and improve monitoring efforts. By incorporating drone-based surveys, a centralized community reporting and response system, community science-based photo identification, and standardized tagging and nest excavation protocols, the project will provide a clearer picture of sea turtle activity across the island. These efforts will help identify nesting hotspots, track population trends, and document both male and female turtles outside of nesting season. This offers a more complete understanding of how sea turtles are using guams habitats. In doing so, the program will move from a reactive model to a more proactive and informed conservation framework.