The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a special place to volunteer. The friendly and knowledgeable staff is always willing to share their skills making it a constant learning process. We are looking for volunteers to act as interpreters in the exhibit gallery and rehab pavilion, to help with groups including school groups, to help with administrative work, and to assist the vet staff with the daily care of the animals. Volunteers must be 13 years or older (18 years or older for husbandry). It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about turtles or if you are an expert. Training is provided for all volunteers in a fun, interactive, and hands-on approach!

The first step to becoming a volunteer at the Center is to attend an interest meeting. The next interest meeting is Saturday, February 2 @ 9:00a.m. right here at the Center.

~Sarah Mathias, Educator/Volunteer Coordinator

Left to Right: Amy Hupp, Kelly O’Keefe, Maura Larson, Sarah Mathias, Emily Goczalk

The coming of the new year meant the arrival of several new ‘hatchlings’ in the education department!

Educators Kelly O’Keefe and Sarah Mathias, who both arrived in December, led the arribada. Sarah wrapped up a successful three-month education internship with the GSTC and was offered a permanent position. Kelly, a veteran environmental educator from Marietta, GA, accepted a position alongside Sarah. Both are taking an active role in planning and implementing programs for the center. Sarah’s main focus is coordinating the volunteer program, whereas Kelly serves primarily as the On-Site Educator, teaching in-house and coordinating special events.

Interns Maura Larson, Amy Hupp and Emily Goczalk joined the team in early January. All recent college graduates, the girls are eager to test their ‘floaties’ in the teaching pool. All are proving to be assets to the education team with their enthusiasm and creativity.

Come by the center any day of the week to meet our new staff and check out our full house of sea turtle patients!

~ Kelly O’Keefe, Educator

Ever wonder what it feels like to be on the other side of the Treatment Window, behind the glass? Wish YOU could get a closer look at the patients, off of the pavilion walkway? You’re in luck! The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is now pleased to offer Behind-the-Scenes Tours!

Guests will visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas, and the Treatment, X-ray and Surgery Rooms. Come join us for a closer look at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center from the other side of the Treatment Window!

Tours are offered on a first come first served basis, and reservations are required. Call early - Group size is limited to 10 guests and nearly always sell out days in advance.

Cost: $25/Adults - $15/Children (Must be at least 10 years of age). Price includes admission.

Time: Saturdays and Sundays 2 P.M.

For more information or to register for a Behind-the-Scene Tour, please call (912) 635-4444.

~Alicia Marin, Senior Educator

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the Adopt-a-Turtle Program is here!! For a $50 donation, you can be one of the adoptive parents of one of our sea turtles! Adoption proceeds go towards the care and feeding of the turtles while they are at the GSTC, towards the purchase of satellite transmitters, and assist with the associated costs of satellite time and personnel to manage the data retrieved from the satellite transmission once a turtle is released back into the wild. There are 2 adoption options: #1 In-house patients and #2 Already released and satellite tagged turtles–please see below to see what each includes.

#1. In-House Patients:
A. While at Center
1.Official Certificate of Adoption
2.Letter from Turtle
3.5×7 photo of turtle
4.Name listed on website adoption page
5.Weekly Update and photo (via email-pdf) until turtle is released
or expires
6.Advance notice of potential release date (when applicable)
B. Upon release of adopted patient:
1.Entrance to VIP area at release for 2 people
2.Link to satellite tracking (if available)

Our eligible turtles for Option #1 are: (clockwise from left top) DYLAN, GRIFFIN, SPITFIRE AND VIDA

#2. Sucessfully Released Turtles with a Satellite Transmitter:
1.Official Certificate of Adoption
2.Letter from Turtle
3.5×7 picture of turtle
4.Name listed on website adoption page
5.Link to satellite tracking

Our eligible turtle for Option #2 is: BEVELYN (Option #2)

You can also view this information on our website (www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org)and see the current list of adoptive parents! Soon there will also be a downloadable Adoption Application Form on the website as well (that you can print, fill out and send in), but until then please call (912-635-4444) the Center or stop by to adopt a turtle today! (Credit card required for all over-the-phone adoptions). Oh, and once our on-line store is up and running (hopefully very soon!) you’ll be able to adopt-a-turtle that way too!!

Sincerely,
Stefanie Ouellette
Education and Field Coordinator

The new year is here and so is a new month and that means a new story and craft for Turtle Tales. Every Saturday at 10:30a.m. join the education staff as we read turtle tales, create crafts, and show real turtle specimens. January’s book is Carolina’s Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! It is an intriguing tale about a turtle that is rescued and rehabilitated. After the story stick around to make sea turtle art out of recycled goods. This program is FREE with paid admission.

~Sarah Mathias, Educator