The Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. It was founded in 1999. Its mission is to take quick and strong actions to protect and restore ocean animals and their homes. It also encourages people around the world to become active and outspoken supporters of ocean life.

Overview

TIRN is the main group that supports several projects, including the Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP), Got Mercury?, and SPAWN (Salmon Protection and Watershed Network). To reach its goals, TIRN uses methods such as teaching and organizing local communities, using the law to push for changes, doing direct conservation work, creatively using media, conducting research, and working to influence laws and policies. TIRN has offices in the United States, Costa Rica, and Papua New Guinea and is supported by more than 10,000 members.

TIRN states its vision as:

History

TIRN was created in 1999 to serve as a main organization for the Sea Turtle Restoration Project. Before this, the project had been part of the Earth Island Institute since 1989 and worked to protect endangered sea turtles globally. In 1999, the project separated from its parent group and was reorganized as the Turtle Island Restoration Network.

Since its start in 1999, TIRN has grown and added more programs. Based in Olema, Marin County, California, the organization now has offices in the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, and the Western Pacific. In 2002, TIRN and the Sea Turtle Restoration Project created a program called "Got Mercury?" to teach people about mercury levels in seafood.

In 1999, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, a volunteer-based program that helps protect endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Creek area, became an official part of TIRN.

In 2019, Turtle Island Restoration Network was named a top finalist for the Best Non-Profit Organization award in Galveston.com's Best of the Island Awards.

Programs

TIRN is the main organization for two important programs:

The Sea Turtle Restoration Project was started in 1989. Its goal is to protect endangered sea turtles in ways that help communities culturally and economically. The project includes several active efforts, such as the Save the Leatherback program, the Gulf of Mexico program, US Pacific Sea Turtles program, Central America program, Western Pacific program, and the Got Mercury? program.

SPAWN (Salmon Protection and Watershed Network) began in 1996 and became an official program under TIRN in 1999. It is a program run by volunteers that works to protect endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Creek watershed and the environment. Its activities include restoring habitats, rescuing fish, training citizens, monitoring the creek, leading guided walks along the creek, buying land to protect the area, and conserving water.