“Today was filled with much adventure. Our day began with a visit to the Tidelands Nature Center. We viewed the exhibits that included touch tanks with crabs and snails. There were also exhibits with snakes, alligators (be sure to check them out through the viewer under the tank), land turtles and a tortoise. Definitely check in on Cabretto, a straggler sea turtle with scoliosis. He is most adorable and loves to meet you at the glass of his tank.

Next, we went on a canoe ride. We were able to see jelly fish, jumping fish, plenty of baby crabs and the most majestic, great white egret hunting for food.

We were also very fortunate to have Ms. Georgia Graves give us a tour of Jekyll that included a study of many species of organisms, including small fish, crabs, worms, sea cucumbers and much more. She explained the importance of the sand dunes and the plant life that anchors them. She talked about the topography of the barrier islands and how dependent the salt marshes and barrier islands are to each other.

As you can see, we are blessed to have such wonderful examples of nature right at our back doors. There is more to beach life than we think.”

~Elizabeth Hilton, Newnan High School

Thanks for reading!

~Alicia Marin, GSTC Education Coordinator

The school year may have ended for the children, but not the teachers! Many teachers take advantage of continuing education programs during their summer vacation. Thanks to a generous grant we received through the Improving Teacher Quality Grant Program offered through the University of Georgia, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center has teamed up with Georgia Southern University to host 2 weeks of teacher workshops this summer! Twelve participants were selected and will each get to participate in a week long workshop focused on the idea of using Jekyll Island as a teaching resource, concentrating particularly on sea turtles, June 6-11th and July 10-16th. Be sure to check out our Blog to read day by day personal reflections from the participants.

Read below to see what Gina McMillan of Rising Starr Middle School had to say about Day 1:

“Sunday June 6, 2010 was the first day of our Sea Turtle Workshop and we begin our introduction at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. We were wowed right off the bat with a behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital and information about each turtle recuperating at the center. The first patient was a two foot alligator. Waiting in an adjoining room was an adorable screech owl. The excitement did not end as we were amazed by the work the Sea Turtle Center accomplishes and completely impressed with the staff at the Center .

After supper, the entire group participated in our very first Turtle Walk. Our guide enthusiastically led us down the beach as we all hoped to watch a sea turtle nesting. Although there were no turtle sightings Sunday night, I felt I had been introduced to a new friend, the sea turtle ,and I am eager to learn more about this fascinating organism.”

Stayed tuned all week to join our participants in their adventures at the GSTC and all over Jekyll Island!

Cheers,

Alicia Marin, GSTC Education Coordinator

As the seasons shift and we move into Spring on the Island we wanted to share some new and exciting gifts we have received in the gift shop.  We want to focus on one of our Pottery enthusiasts by the name of Rod Jackson.  Rod received his PhD from the University of Texas in 1975 and worked for Coastal Zone Management for the State of Texas and also served as a private consultant for 5 years. He then accepted a job with the Federal Government, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in Alaska.  Afterward he relocated to Asheville, North Carolina where he makes magic.  As you will read below he loves Sea Turtles and pottery so he has managed to blend both of these fascinating worlds into one.  Please come visit our gift shop to see all the different styles he has produces for us.  We carry bowls, platters and mugs in all sizes, colors and shapes.   (CLICK HERE for JPG)

Thank you,

Peggy Van Buren
Gift Shop Coordinator
912-635-4444