1 Million Turtles Program Wins 2023 Eureka Prize for Citizen Science Innovation

The 1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program, led by Associate Professor Ricky Spencer of Western Sydney University, received the 2023 Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science. This Australia-wide initiative engages public participants through the TurtleSAT mobile application, enabling activities like habitat restoration, nest protection, and predator management. In 2022, the effort preserved more than 1,000 freshwater turtles and 200 nests. The program integrates STEM education with Indigenous knowledge, collaborating with groups such as the Ngarrendjeri Aboriginal Corporation. It represents a shift toward participatory conservation where community members contribute directly to environmental protection.