Photo courtesy of Ben Bollich

NSTSTF is a foundation created for the protection of the

environment, promotion of scientific investigation and to

contribute to environmental education in our communities.

Gumbo Limbo Hatchling Release Tickets on sale!

About the Oil Spill

We hope this will help!

Many of our members and volunteers located in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida in the Gulf area have contacted our organization for information regarding rescue and protection efforts and who to call. We suggest you contact local authorities.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation

In Alabama or Mississippi - (404)679-7154

In Louisiana - (334)242-3465 or 24 hour hotline (251)476-1256

In Florida - (866)557-1401 or (866)448-5816

We can only prepare in advance in the event the oil spill is not contained and dips into the loop current, which will carry it to our shores and may have a serious effect on our marine life, coastlines, and beaches.

How can you help us?

We have recently donated $25,000 to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center to help establish a sea turtle rehabilitation center. The Center is equipped with tanks, cleaning stations and staff, including volunteers and veterinarians. We must expand in advance with more tanks and more supplies, and if need be, be prepared to hire more qualified staff.

We also have access to Florida Atlantic University’s lab on site. We have funded FAU’s Sea Turtle Research programs for years. If they participate, we would be faced with upgrades, equipment, supplies and personnel.

Injured or diseased turtles can be brought to Palm Beach Zoo’s veterinarian hospital for treatment. We participate and fund the Zoo’s Hawksbill Sea Turtle Research Program. The facility is adequate, but in an emergency, more qualified people and equipment will be needed. At present, there is only one veterinarian on staff at the hospital.

Our Adopt-A-Nest program supports Nova Southeastern University who are contracted by Broward County for their Sea Turtle Conservation Program. An increase in nest adoptions would help set aside funds needed in an emergency. They will need equipment and supplies to keep the oil from reaching our beaches and more equipment and personnel to monitor nesting activity.

If you plan to make a donation to the foundation to help fund one of these programs, you may send a check to the foundation with “Oil Spill” designated on the check. Or, you may donate online and type “OS” in the “In Honor of” box. You may also become a member which will also support efforts in cleaning up the oil spill.

You may track the oil spill here.

Alert!!! - Monroe/Dade/Broward/Palm Beach Counties

Will Sea Turtle Hatchlings be at risk?

After a nest is laid and monitored, it will take an average of 55 days to hatch. Let’s assume that the nest was laid on July 15, 2010. That nest would hatch in early September. Herein lies the problem:

1. If the beach is protected with oil absorbent barriers, the hatchlings will not have access to the water.

2. If there is no barrier, the hatchlings will be exposed to contaminated water reducing its chance of survival

Magnify this situation by 1000 nests and approximately 10,000 hatchlings will have no place to go.