In 2008, we worked with our allies to successfully stop development of a new military base in Okinawa, Japan, that would have impacted imperiled hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles and the endangered Okinawa dugong. However, the Obama administration is pushing for the expansion of the existing military base, threatening the survival of this delicate coral reef ecosystem, sea turtles, and the dugongs. The Sea Turtle Restoration Project needs your help today to stop this.
Stop Destruction of Endangered Sea Turtle and Dugong Habitat 
The Japanese island of Okinawa has been called the "Galápagos of the East" because of the 400 types of coral, more than 1,000 species of reef fish, marine mammals, and the endangered sea turtles that thrive there. This incredible degree of marine biodiversity is exceeded only by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The dugong, a gentle animal much like a manatee, is widely considered to be critically endangered and is an official Japanese "cultural treasure."
Join the Coalition to Halt Military Expansion on Henoko Reef You can help the coalition of conservation, animal-protection, peace and justice groups representing more than 10 million Americans that are urging the White House and State Department to cancel plans to expand the airbase into Okinawa's sensitive coral reef habitat. Just take these simple actions:
1) Click here to send a letter to the Obama administration demanding a halt to the military base expansion.
2) Donate to the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, with your gift of $100 or more, or monthly recurring gift of just $8, you'll receive a beautiful onyx carved sea turtle. Photos: (top) endangered dugongs, courtesy NOAA; (bottom) proposed expansion onto Henoko coral reefs, courtesy Sean Chen [caption id="attachment_4824" align="alignnone" width="192" caption="Shirts, caps, bags, and more"]
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