You may have heard a lot in the news recently about sea turtles.  From the cold stunning event in Florida to the push to get loggerheads on the endangered species list.  But what is happening with the population on our local beaches?  Join us Thursday, April 8th for a discussion on the nesting females of Jekyll Island!  Georgia Sea Turtle Center Research Coordinator Stefanie Ouellette will discuss the Jekyll population and all of the exciting research being done right here in Georgia!

What: Lecture Series - Jekyll Island’s Nesting Females

Who: Georgia Sea Turtle Center Research Coordinator Stefanie Ouellette

Where: Brunswick/Glynn County Library

When: Thursday April 8, 2010  7:00 p.m.

Artificial lighting can have negative impacts on all nocturnal wildlife, including sea turtles.  Both the nesting females and the hatchlings can be affected by improper artificial lighting.  Nesting females will not nest in brightly lit areas and hatchlings can easily get mis- or dis-oriented (LEFT).  What can you do?  Glad you asked!  Believe it or not, there are ways to have lights where you need them AND be turtle-friendly…all at the same time!

We are happy to say that Jekyll Island amended its Beach Lighting Ordinance in 2008, which requires all properties along the beach, and in view of the beach, to become turtle-friendly with their lights.  How do you do this?  What are turtle friendly lights? Can you still have some lights?  Which ones?

These questions and more will be answered at the upcoming ‘SEA TURTLES AND LIGHTS‘ workshop, hosted by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Jekyll Island Authority.

While there are many problems with lights all along Georgia’s coastline, this workshop will concentrate on Jekyll Island specifically, including the Jekyll Island Authority staff,  Jekyll Island residents, hotels and businesses.  We will have presentations by sea turtle experts,  some lighting vendors with examples of turtle-friendly approved (FWC & FWS) fixtures, bulbs and/or shields, and lots of take-home information so YOU can make your lights turtle-friendly!

We hope to get everyone compliant with the lighting ordinance before sea turtle nesting season begins on May 1. Please see the flyer above for workshop information.   CLICK HERE for a PDF version of the flyer.

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Stefanie Ouellette
Marine Field Programs Coordinator

Turtles for Tomorrow

a FREE scout event

Learn all about turtles at this ’scouts only’ event!

Spend a day on beautiful Jekyll Island and join the staff of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the Jekyll Island 4-H Center and Tidelands Nature Center to learn how you can help ensure that turtles survive for tomorrow!

This FREE event is open to Boy and Girl Scouts (recommended ages 8-12), their troops and leaders.

Space is limited and reservations required!

Contact Kelly Price at (912) 635-4076 or kokeefe@jekyllisland.com to register

Lend us a flipper! Print this flyer to post or bring to your next meeting!

With Spring still a few months away,  wouldn’t it be nice to have a piece of Jekyll Island around to remind you of all the fun and exciting things you did while visiting here.  We have an array of decorative sculptures handcrafted by a local artist by the name of Tyler Dominey.  Look below to read all about him, his story is amazing and fascinating.

These are just a few samples of some of the sculptures we have in our Gift Shop.  Stop by to see our complete collection!

**(Prices starting at $14.95, selection subject to change)**

Sincerely,
Peggy Van Buren
Gift Shop Coordinator

Boy Scout Day is coming up February 8!

In celebration of the Boy Scouts of America 100th birthday, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will honor boy scouts with a special opportunity.

Come to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center anytime during the week of February 9-13 (Tuesday-Saturday). Complete our ’scouts only’ scavenger hunt and receive a free scouts only patch!

Click here to download the scout scavenger hunt!

Don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten about Girl Scouts! Your day is coming up in March, so mark your calendars for the week of March 8th through 13th for the same celebration!

Groups of 10 or more are asked to make a reservation by calling (912) 635-4076.

Interested in more scouting programs?

Visit

www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/education-programs/group-programs/scout-programs for scout programs and badge opportunities.

~Kelly Price, Education Specialist

This event is FREE with general admission to the Center!

Check out the holiday magic from the 2008 event!

~Kelly Price, Education Specialist

Looking for a unique holiday gift idea? Looking to give something that gives back?  Well you’ve come to the right place!  Here are a few suggestions from your friends at the GSTC:

ADOPT-A-SEA TURTLE ($50)

The recipient of a sea turtle adoption will surely enjoy their gift!  They will receive a letter from ‘their’ turtle, a 5×7 photo, a certificate of adoption and access to ‘their’ turtle’s password protected webpage!  If their turtle receives a satellite transmitter, or you choose a turtle that has already been released with a transmitter, they’ll be able to follow their turtle’s journey!

GSTC MEMBERSHIP ($35-5,000)

Did your friends of family LOVE their visit to the GSTC?  Why not by them a GSTC Membership!  We offer 6 levels from Individual to Lifetime. The various levels come with a variety of benefits, however all Memberships including FREE admission to the GSTC for 1 whole year, 10% discount off merchandise in the GSTC Gift Shop, 50% discount on Turtle and Nest Walks, and access the password protected Member’s ONLY page on our website which includes a Member’s ONLY edition of the GSTC’s quarterly newsletter Caretta Chronicles! How can you beat that?!

PERSONALIZED BRICK on our Walkway to Wonder! ($100 or $500)

What could be more special than a personalized brick on the GSTC Walkway to Wonder?  Either surprise them with a personalized message for them or let them create their own message..either way you can’t beat this gift!  And the best part is, you can visit it over and over and over!

All three of these options can be purchased at the Center, by calling 912-635-4444, visiting out website, downloading the correct forms and mailing or faxing them to us, or through our online store!  But hurry, processing and deliver can take 2-4 weeks!

We also have a variety of merchandise available in our gift shop (and we are currently running a 10% off holiday discount on merchandise (in store only-see previous BLOG)) and on our online store!

So whether you are buying a gift for someone else or treating yourself, please know that for all purchases made, whether it’s an adoption, membership, brick or merchandise, ALL proceeds go towards offsetting the operation costs of the GSTC, includeing the rehabilitation of sea turtles, equipment, research, and educational programming to promote conservation and awareness.

On behalf of the entire GSTC staff, I would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!

Sincerely,
Stefanie Ouellette
Marine Field Programs Coordinator

We would like to share some exciting news regarding the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Gift Shop!  Mark your calendar for November 26th, 2009… We are having a 10% discount* on all merchandise in the Gift Shop.  This discount will end on January 15, 2010.

Come by and make your selection and we will take care of the rest!  We offer a wide variety of gifts including, jewelry, hats & visors, travel mugs, assorted sweatshirts, and t-shirts.

We also have educational books for children and adults that will make a great gift.

And don’t forget those decorative pieces of art and pottery!

So come spend the day with us and, for a low admission price, visit our interactive Exhibit Gallery, listen to educational programs and see our patients in our Rehabilitation Pavilion, then stop by the Gift Shop and shop til you drop!  To make things even better, all proceeds help to offset operational costs of the GSTC including patient care, educational programming and research.

Thank you for supporting The Georgia Sea Turtle Center!
Peggy Van Buren
Gift Shop Coordinator
*This offer does not include online sales, admissions, adoptions, memberships or brick purchases.