You may be aware that the GSTC Education Department provides outreach programs about sea turtles throughout the southeastern United States, but did you know that we travel to the Caribbean?!?! But of course - we are always up for an opportunity to spread the word about sea turtle conservation!  It was only 3 short years ago that Alicia Marin, now GSTC Education Coordinator, spent the summer working on the small island of Nevis, assisting the Nevis Turtle Group (NTG) with their sea turtle monitoring project.  When the NTG was approached by the Four Seasons resort with an interest in providing a sea turtle related activity for children, Alicia jumped at the chance to work with local children, and developed a Sea Turtle Camp on the spot!  The program was so successful (100 children graduated from Camp that summer), she continued to perfect the curriculum as her Master’s thesis at Duke University, which is currently pending publication.

Alicia and Sarah Eckert (former GSTC Educator) are spending 3 life changing weeks in the West Indies, assisting with Sea Turtle Camp, Caribbean style.  This past week we were on the island of St. Kitts and had the pleasure of working with local Kittian children, thanks to the generous support of the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network.  We offered 2, half day camps; 6-8 year olds in the morning and 13-16 year olds in the afternoon.  Each day the Campers focused on a particular aspect of sea turtle biology, conservation, and threats that they face.

We first began with an introduction to sea turtles, and learned about the Amazing Adaptations™ that sea turtles face. So OF COURSE we had to make our own shells and beaks!  The children had the opportunity to express their creativity while decorating their paper carapaces (top shell) and plastrons (bottom shell).  Thanks to the efforts of the in water tagging team, our older Campers were able to see a juvenile Hawksbill sea turtle!

No day is complete without snack, and our Campers were given only the best treats.  After learning about the nesting process, and how sea turtles are Egg-cellent Nest Protectors™, Campers became nesting females and buried their “eggs” (marshmallows) in their “nest” (pudding, graham crackers and whipped cream) to keep them safe.  The older Campers learned about natural and human associated threats through a bingo like game called T-H-R-E-A-T™.  Not only did the Campers learn a lot, but they had a blast!  Let’s be honest, you are never too old or too young for Bingo.

The Campers also learned how people of all ages can help sea turtles.  Our morning Campers, played a game of Garbage in the Water to show the effects of marine debris on sea turtles, and learned how long it takes for certain items to break down.  Dr. Kimberly Stewart then presented on the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, and introduced opportunities for the older Campers to get involved.  This included creating beads from glass bottles that would have otherwise been discarded!  That’s right, glass bottles!  Andy, a sea turtle conservationist by day and stand up comic by night, did a mind blowing glass bead making demo for the Campers and Staff.  Each Camper (and even us!) had the chance to create a beautiful glass bead necklace. The St. Kitts Sea Turtle Project has conducted several workshops for local fisherman to encourage their participation in this glass bead initiative in which everyone benefits.  This program allows Kittians the chance to receive monetary compensation, glass to be recycled, and sea turtle projects to be supported. We even had at least one interested Camper! Wondering where you can purchase these unique glass beads?  Well, the GSTC of course! We are proud to sell these one of a kind glass bead necklaces and keychains in our gift shop, helping to support this wonderful program.

After only 4 short days it was apparent how much fun these Campers had and even more amazing was how much they learned.  This week was one to remember for a life time, and this is only the beginning of our Caribbean EXTREME Outreach.  This week we educated 25 children, but there’s more to come!  Be sure to check out the blog next week to learn about Sarah’s outreach adventures on St. Kitts, as she educates 9-12 year olds for round 2 of Sea Turtle Camp and Alicia’s outreach adventures on Nevis, as she assists Barbara Whitman with her Under the Sea Camp.

“Liming” in the Caribbean,

Alicia and Sarah

Among the capacity building initiatives is WIDECAST’s regional Sea Turtle Trauma Response Corps (STTRC). The aim of the STTRC is to strengthen and coordinate the efforts of people throughout the Wider Caribbean Region to respond to sea turtles in crisis, whether at sea or stranded along shoreline. The initiative includes the development of a variety of standard guidelines and field procedures manuals, as well as standardized reporting forms and database management software.

In addition to peer-reviewed guidelines, Internet-based resources, information management software, and other technical products, the STTRC provides regular training and internship opportunities for field staff and volunteers, natural resource managers, veterinarians, and rehabilitators. Recently a manual was developed entitled Marine Turtle Trauma Response Procedures: A field Guide, 2006, http://www.widecast.og/trauma). Dr. Norton’s first presentation was an overview of the field guide contents and how Caribbean veterinarians can be involved in first response initiatives for stranded sea turtles. Other presentations by Dr. Norton included “Pertinent Anesthesia and Surgery in Sea Turtles”, “Necropsy Techniques in Sea Turtles”, and “Managing a Sea Turtle Mass Mortality Event”. Other speakers and topics presented included “Sea Turtle Strandings in Barbados” by Barry Kruger and Gus Reader, “Sea Turtle Trauma Response Corps An Overview” by Kimberley Stewart, “Rehabilitation of Sea Turtles” and “Fibropapillomatosis in Sea Turtles” by Charles Manire.

Another objective of the visit was to evaluate some green turtles that have been habituated to hand feeding pieces of fish to attract tourists. Unfortunately, the turtles have become obese. Some solutions and compromises were discussed with local sea turtle conservationists such as feeding more appropriate vegetarian treats such as squash. Future trips may involve evaluating the health status of the habituated turtles and their wild counterparts that are feeding predominantly on sea grasses.