Hey all,

My name is Mike and I am a new kid in turtle school!

Since graduating from Miami University with a degree in Zoology, I have started an eclectic collection of previous work experience. Last summer, I began to focus on a career in marine conservation.

This new career path has taken me from “Character Ambassadoring” with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to couch surfing through Washington, DC as I worked with Conservation International’s Sea Turtle Flagship Program. Most recently I have found myself on Jekyll Island and the fit is right. From sweet tea to sea turtles, I am excited for a fun-filled southern summer of learning and teaching guests to the GSTC about the 5 species of sea turtles that share our Georgia coast.

Check out this video PSA featuring Mr. Leatherback that I produced while Sea Turtle Interning at Conservation International reminding us all to use reusable bags when we shop:

Use Reusable Bags When You Shop!

Hope to see y’all at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center soon!

Mike D

Hey Everyone!

My name is Sarah and I’m also a new face here at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

I’m attending Sewanee: The University of the South and I’m majoring in Ecology and Biodiversity and minoring in Business. I started my sea turtle journey almost three years ago during the GSTC’s opening season.

This will be my third summer working at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and I couldn’t be more excited! As a North Carolina native, I am right at home here on the Georgia Coast and ready to see where this summer takes me. While this will be my third summer working with sea turtles my other jobs have really run the gamut. Last summer I worked at a law firm doing paralegal work and I sold pies at a farmer’s market in New York City. This past year I worked in my alma mater, Emma Willard School’s business office conducting market research and writing a business plan for our school store.

So far at the center, I have been having a blast as a counselor at our Sea Turtle Camp! Parents & students: I urge you to look into this amazing opportunity for next summer!

Can’t wait to see you soon!

Sarah

This past week, 17 enthusiastic kids had the opportunity to become junior conservationists at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s Sea Turtle Camp! With a five days program, you may wonder what we were doing. We can’t let all of the hatchling’s secrets out of the nest all at the same time, but here are a few highlights.

Being so close to the coast, we took advantage of some time at the beach! Our junior conservationists created sea turtle kites made of recycled plastic grocery bags. Our only obstacle? – we flew them on a day without a breeze! Instead we combed the shoreline for critters. Horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, shells and sand dollars were among many treasures that the high tide had left for us to find. Of course, being the conservationists that we are, everything was left behind at the beach for the ocean to recapture!

We also spent a little time each day with our sea turtle patients. One new patient, a small Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, arrived just one day before camp began! Our conservationists were given the opportunity to name the little guy (or girl!). The little Kemp’s was found floating by a fisherman and brought to the Center for treatment. Our campers aptly chose the name ‘Bubbles,’ as he floats just like them!

This isn’t the only week of Sea Turtle Camp – there are four more to follow in 2010 so stay tuned for more sun, sand and sea turtles!

~Kelly Price

Education Specialist

“Well, day after day, new experiences are encountered!  Even though we saw a nesting loggerhead sea turtle Wednesday morning at 1:15 am, the fun did not stop here! (By the way, we unofficially named the nesting sea turtle Elizabeth II after her founders!).

Today, we started helping in husbandry at the GSTC where we experienced a new sea turtle arriving.  It was a green sea turtle that was found by the DNR that had been washed ashore.  According to X-rays by Dr. Norton and his staff at the GSTC, it was determined that the turtle has a broken wrist (part of its left front flipper).  It also had barnacles on its carapace, which had to be removed, and a hole in its plastron, in which the infection had to be removed.  The sea turtle was in great spirits though!  It ate well and enjoyed swimming in its temporary pool-like tank!

Our next stop was to Driftwood Beach, a boneyard, at the northern end of Jekyll Island.  We saw the dead oak trees that lie toppled over and their dramatic root systems that have been uprooted due to erosion. It is intriguing and dramatic, yet eerie!  These dead trees have been preserved by the salty air and the ocean.

Our next stop was Clam Creek.  This area includes marshland and a large covered fishing pier.  Dr. Schriver gave us an overview of this area and introduced us to organisms such as the moon snail, the arc shell, the plumed worm, the speckled crab, the razor clam, and so many more!  We now have a great shell collection to show off!

Our third stop of the day was for ice cream!  What better way to complete a nice, hot, and sunny day than to have some cold, refreshing ice cream!”

~Elizabeth Lozano, Newnan High School

Only one day left and there is more excitement to come!

~Alicia Marin, GSTC Education Coordinator

“There’s not a day yet that has been the identical, routine, or boring at the Sea Turtle Center. This morning we went in with the thought that we would be doing the “usual” while on duty. We logged what the sea turtles would be eating for the morning and began to feed and give the sea turtles their vitamins and daily medicine regiment when we were told that we would be helping the husbandry staff take Caton, one of the sea turtles at the center, to the beach today to help with the release. The Sea Turtle Center has tried to release Caton before but the turtle had other plans. The staff members loaded Caton up and we all jumped in the van. Everything happened so quickly. I could hardly believe that we were invited along!

Once at the beach, it took ten of us to carry Caton down in a tub. With help, Dr. Norton put Caton on the beach….nothing. Then Dr. Norton moved Caton into the water a little bit. Dr. Norton gave Caton a little pep talk. You know the usually sea turtle advice-watch out for boat propellers, look for crab to eat, etc. Still, no movement from Caton. Eventually, Caton began to swim in the ocean. We stayed out there watching Caton swim parallel to the shore for over an hour. After more time had passed and much patience from Dr. Norton, the decision was made to bring Caton back to the center. I guess that Caton likes the Sea Turtle Center just as much as we do!”

~Jamie Carson, Rising Starr Middle School

Thanks for reading!

~Alicia Marin, GSTC Education Coordinator

“Hello Sea Turtle Fans!

Today was an exciting day at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. After starting the morning cutting food, cleaning out tanks, and answering questions for the guests at the Sea Turtle Center, we were able to witness a successful release of three of the hospital’s success stories. One of the Sea Turtle Center’s goals is to rehabilitate turtles that have been brought in and release them back into the wild. Pico, Kempline, and Varun were released into the ocean. It was wonderful to be able to see the culmination of all the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the center. It was rather emotional.

One by one, Dr Norton, along with a staff member, walked each turtle out in the ocean about waist-high and then released them. The crowd anxiously awaited the sign that each turtle had taken off. Each time as the crowd got the sign, a sigh of relief along with a huge cheer rang out. This was definitely a treat and the reason for all the hard work from everyone who dedicates their life to conservation, rehabilitation, and education.”

Taran Swanson, Rising Starr Middle School

Thanks for reading!

~Alicia Marin, GSTC Education Coordinator