Purpose

The Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS) supports conservation awareness and ethical hermit crab care through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

This page highlights independent conservation and community-led initiatives that align with humane care principles and environmental responsibility. These initiatives are shared to provide additional opportunities for individuals to participate in conservation-focused actions beyond formal LHCOS programs.

How to Use This Page

The initiatives listed here:

  • Are operated independently
  • Are not managed, overseen, or administered by LHCOS
  • Are shared for informational and educational purposes only

Inclusion on this page does not imply endorsement, partnership, sponsorship, certification, or evaluation by LHCOS. Participation in any initiative is voluntary and undertaken at the discretion of the individual.

Shell Conservation and Restoration Efforts

Shell availability is a critical conservation issue for wild hermit crabs and other shell-dependent species. Widespread shell removal from natural environments has contributed to habitat scarcity, increased competition, and higher mortality rates.

In response, some individuals and community groups have organized shell conservation, restoration, or return efforts to raise awareness and encourage responsible behavior.

The initiatives listed below focus on shell conservation education and community participation.

Make the Switch 4 Nature

Led by Shawn Miller

Make the Switch 4 Nature is a shell restoration and conservation awareness initiative focused on encouraging people to return shells to natural environments and rethink souvenir shell collection. The project emphasizes education-driven behavior change and community participation.

Operated independently. Not affiliated with or overseen by LHCOS.
[Visit project website]

Crustacean Plantation

Led by Angela Sayre

Crustacean Plantation is a community-led initiative centered on shell conservation education and restoration awareness. The project highlights the ecological importance of shells and promotes responsible interaction with natural habitats.

Operated independently. Not affiliated with or overseen by LHCOS.
[Visit project website]

Mother of Crabs (Taiwan)

Mother of Crabs is a local shell conservation and awareness effort based in Taiwan. The initiative focuses on public education around shell scarcity, the environmental impact of shell removal, and encouraging responsible behavior in coastal ecosystems.

Operated independently. Not affiliated with or overseen by LHCOS.
[Visit project website]

Huang Shu Huang, an employee of the Kenting Youth Activity Center, and also a hermit crab advocate and provider of shells in Taiwan. Support Mother of Crabs by donating shells to their shell replenishment project in Taiwan:

Ms. Shu-Huang Huang
No. 17, Kenting Road,
Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, 946, Taiwan

Green Island Hermit House (Taiwan)

Green Island Hermit House is a local shell conservation and awareness effort based in Taiwan. The initiative focuses on public education around shell scarcity, the environmental impact of shell removal, and encouraging responsible behavior in coastal ecosystems.

Operated independently. Not affiliated with or overseen by LHCOS.

Learn More About the Project

Community-Led Conservation Awareness

Beyond shell-specific efforts, some community initiatives focus on increasing public awareness related to:

  • Ethical hermit crab care
  • The impacts of wild collection
  • Responsible interaction with natural environments
  • Reducing demand for harmful or exploitative practices

These initiatives may take the form of educational campaigns, local outreach efforts, or public awareness projects designed to influence everyday choices and behaviors.

How Individuals Can Help

Individuals interested in conservation-focused action can:

  • Leave shells in natural environments
  • Avoid purchasing painted or decorative shells
  • Share ethical care and conservation education
  • Participate in independent initiatives aligned with humane principles
  • Support education-first advocacy

Small actions, repeated widely, play a meaningful role in reducing harm to wild populations.

Relationship to LHCOS Education

This page complements, but does not replace, LHCOS educational content and programs.

For guidance on ethical care and conservation principles, visit:

Submitting an Initiative for Consideration

Individuals may suggest conservation or community initiatives for inclusion on this page through the Contact Us form.

Submission does not guarantee inclusion. LHCOS reserves the right to limit listings to initiatives that align with humane care principles and conservation-focused education goals.

Disclaimer

This page provides informational links only. LHCOS does not certify, approve, regulate, monitor, or assume responsibility for external initiatives.