| World Turtle Trust's Turtle Ambassador Program
Do you like sea turtles?
Would you like to help spread the word about these wonderful creatures and their continued need for protection and conservation?
We've found that most people respond with a resounding "YES" to both questions. And that's the reason why the World Turtle Trust created the Turtle Ambassador Program --so that turtle lovers everywhere could demonstrate their concern and commitment about sea turtles around the globe.
What's involved in being a Turtle Ambassadors? - There's no money involved or dues to pay.
- There are no meetings to attend.
- There's no email or newsletters you need to read and respond to.
All that's required is for you to make a commitment to spread the "Turtle Spirit" wherever you go. Speak to people you meet about how special sea turtles are and how you like (or love) them. Get familiar with sea turtle conservation efforts (such as on this web site) and tell others you meet about them. Teach your kids about conservation and help instill in them a love of nature.
To promote the Turtle Ambassador Program far and wide, the World Turtle Trust has teamed up with JASS International, a merchandise licensing firm in Japan. JASS helped make the "Smiley Face" campaign a success for another non-profit organization, the World Smile Foundation , and we are enthused about our partnership with JASS to further promote the Turtle Ambassador Program. Honorary Turtle Ambassadors (celebrities, top athletes, politicians, etc.) also have the opportunity to assist further by allowing World Turtle Trust and JASS to utilize their name and picture (usually wearing a Turtle Ambassador T-shirt) to further promote the program.
The goal is to get large numbers of people throughout the world to demonstrate their "Turtle Ambassadorship" by proudly wearing Turtle Ambassador T-shirts, with of course part of the proceeds from T-Shirt sales going to the World Turtle Trust to directly support sea turtle conservation.
If you have any further questions about the Turtle Ambassador Program, please let us know via email .
Honorary Turtle Ambassadors from Japan
August 2006
Turtle Ambassador Certificate
WTT's Letter to Potential Hawaii-Based Honorary Turtle Ambassadors
Have you noticed all those green sea turtles swimming in the ocean around the Hawaiian Islands? Just 30 years ago, there were hardly any. Turtles were eaten and taken for the restaurant trade and for private consumption until the mid-1970's.
Now, after 3 decades of conservation, the green sea turtles are back! Throughout the near-shore waters around the islands, many thousands of green sea turtles (honu) feed on limu and algae, and are a delight to kamaainas and tourists alike.
Sea turtles in Hawaii have not only made a big population come back--they've become a favorite icon for multitudes. You've seen those logos and images everywhere--on surfboards, rear windshields, company logos, buildings, and, of course, on various appendages and torsos as tattoos. These icons, representing as they do the turtle spirit, are said to bring long life, prosperity, and good fortune. People in Hawaii just LOVE their honu!
Hawaii has thus proven that sea turtle conservation works! The people of Hawaii are proud of this accomplishment, and rightly so. Some residents have even suggested that this love and respect for the honu (which, after all is really love and respect for all of life) be promoted and exported in some way to the rest of the world. Kind of like spreading Aloha around the world. That's where the World Turtle Trust's "Turtle Ambassador Campaign" comes in.
We're asking you and other leading citizens of Hawaii to help spread and expand the Honu Spirit by becoming "Honorary Turtle Ambassadors", in much the same way that we, in Hawaii, are already Ambassadors of Aloha.
What's involved in being a Turtle Ambassadors? - There's no money involved or dues to pay.
- There are no meetings to attend.
- There's no email or newsletters you need to read and respond to.
All that's required is for you to make a commitment to spread the Honu Spirit wherever you go. Speak to people you meet about Hawaii's successful conservation efforts. Tell people about Hawaii's love and respect for the honu and for all Life. Teach your kids about conservation and help instill in them a love of nature. Maybe get a turtle sticker for YOUR car window or bumper. The World Turtle Trust is spearheading this drive to sign up Turtle Ambassadors in Hawaii. The more ambassadors we recruit with recognizable names--like yours--the better and more far reaching our "Honu Spirit" campaign will be.
So we'd also like, with your permission, to utilize your name in our list of Honorary Turtle Ambassadors. This list may be publicized to encourage other potential Ambassadors to sign up, and to show how deeply Hawaii's leading citizens care for their environment.
If you're sold on becoming a Turtle Ambassador, simply FAX or mail the attached "Turtle Ambassador Application" back to us, and we'll send you your Honorary Turtle Ambassador Certificate (suitable for framing), which will show your friends and associates your commitment to the Honu Spirit. Hey, maybe they'll want to become Ambassadors, too!
Much Aloha
John Lindelow, President
World Turtle Trust |
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