Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each calendar year, but The Georgia Sea Turtle Center celebrated a little early at the Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival this past Saturday! Over 550 guests visited the Center and children of all ages participated in earth-friendly games and recycled crafts on the front lawn. Many popular crafts and activities from 2008 made repeat appearances including the Recycle Toss, Handmade paper, the Styrofoam Plate Press, Wearable Paper Bag Carapaces and a Recycled Journal decorating station. 
So what’s new? The Jekyll Island Garden Club gave seedlings a head start at the Sunflower Seed Planting Station and the more adventurous at heart created an edible cup filled with dirt, worms and top soil! 
(Actually chocolate pudding, gummy worms and oreo crumbles)
Live animals wowed the crowd, including Diamondback Terrapin hatchlings from the GSTC’s Conservation Project and a box turtle, corn snake and young alligator from the Jekyll 4-H Center!
Of course, not all the fun was had by the younger crowd. A number of vendors and exhibitors showcased their eco-friendly products, services and crafts along the surrounding sidewalks. A silent auction of nature-themed items donated by vendors and supporters gave the adults something to peruse. The 23 items helped raise nearly $1000 dollars for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. We really appreciate your sea-port!
And what would a festival be without food? Food for all was served consciously on biodegradable cups and plates including a vegetarian grilled pineapple sandwich with cream cheese!
For the first time, Scute’s Scribblers made their debut among many earth
inspiring feature items in the GSTC gift shop. At Shell-e-brate Earth Day 2008, the GSTC Education staff began collecting used and broken crayons donations from surrounding schools and restaurants. One year later, 80 pounds of petroleum based unusable crayons have been given a second go-round as recycled sea turtle shaped crayons! Crayons are sold individually in eight different colors or in a 5 pack box that any child would love. Proceeds from this project go to support Scute’s Scholarship Fund, a program providing Georgia Sea Turtle Center field trip experiences for local schools. 
And who is Scute, you ask? Why he’s the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s Loggerhead Mascot! This was Scute’s first Earth Day festival and what a great time he had visiting with the young and young at heart.
If you missed this year’s event, mark your calendar for April 2010. Keep checking our blog for upcoming event details for our next big event - Nest Fest 2009!
~Kelly O’Keefe, Educator
