National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation to Present $25,000 Donation at Gumbo Limbo 25th Anniversary Open House
Boca Raton, FL, November 13, 2009: The National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation will present Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Inc. with a $25,000 check to support its new Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program. The check will be presented on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 1:30 PM during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new seven tank facility.
“We are happy to begin a relationship with National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation. Their donation has helped us to surpass our fund raising goal for the initiation of our sea turtle rehabilitation program, and we look forward to a partnership on future projects,” said Mike Zewe, Development Officer for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Inc. (To view images, click here)
In addition to the check presentation and ribbon cutting ceremony for the rehabilitation program, The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District will honor Gumbo Limbo founder, Gordon Gilbert with a commemorative plaque which will be unveiled and permanently placed at Gumbo Limbo.
All the events will happen at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on Sunday, November 15. At 12:30 PM a series of speakers will reflect on Mr. Gilbert’s 30 years of service to the city and Gumbo Limbo. Speakers will include Mayor Susan Welchel and Mr. Robert Langford, Executive Director of The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District. The ribbon cutting ceremony and check presentation will begin at 1:30 PM
“The rehabilitation program will not only help sick and injured turtles but will raise public awareness of the threats these animals face. The program will add another layer to the City’s sea turtle research and conservation program which will greatly enhance our conservation efforts,” said Dr. Kirt Rusenko, Boca Raton Marine Conservationist.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is currently celebrating 25 years of coastal and marine education, preservation, conservation and research. The center is a collaborative project between the city of Boca Raton, The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida Atlantic University, and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Inc, a 501©3 organization.
PROTECTION
Protecting and preserving sea turtles and marine life has been the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation’s goal since inception. We are dedicated to participating in and funding research programs, working hands-on in research programs conducted by Florida Atlantic University, NOVA University, Marinelife Center of Juno Beach, Miami Seaquarium, Sea Grant, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, John U. Lloyd State Park and the State of Florida’s conservation efforts. Our staff members and volunteers participate in many of these research projects. Hundreds of thousands of dollars, locally, nationally and internationally, are spent on programs that include projects in Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Curacao, Mexico and the Bahamas. Some of the statistics were incredible. Funds allocated to our project in Costa Rica resulted in over 26,000 turtles hatched and released on the beaches in Carate on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
Local projects in Palm Beach County, Broward County, Monroe County, Dade County saw improvements in nesting conditions through constant efforts, such as annual and semi-annual waterway and beach cleanups. Tons of trash removed from Florida’s beaches and waterways in all those counties have made a difference through your contributions.
EDUCATION
Following our main goal since inception, over 15,000 children have participated in our Marine Life Seminars conducted in Broward County Schools, International Game Fish Association’s Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, and classroom training at our facility in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL. Adults, young adults and children participated in turtle walks conducted on Broward’s beaches under the supervision of our qualified marine biologists, staff members and volunteers. Hundreds participated in our Sea Turtle Hatchling Release Programs during nesting season.
Over the years and to date we provide information and guidelines to conduct sea turtle and marine life seminars nationally. Teachers throughout the entire U. S. have conducted these seminars with our help. Items discussed at seminars include:
- preservation of marine life
- pollution
- coastal development
- beach lighting.
Most of our seminars include a question-and-answer period giving everyone attending an opportunity to express their views.
In the years 1998 to 2006 over hundreds of children participated in our Education Programs in over 100 Broward County schools and education centers. During that period, classes were conducted in condominiums in the coastal areas from Palm Beach County to Monroe County. Literature for studies, including videos, were supplied by partners, Florida Power & Light, Florida Atlantic University, Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, Miami Seaquarium and IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Museum. Today hundreds of visitors to the Museum visit our display and obtain information from the staff.
Internationally thousands of children in Costa Rica’s coastal areas attended our Sea Turtle Protection Seminars in villages from Puerto Jiminez to remote jungles and beaches in the Osa Peninsula. Over $5,000.00 per month for several years was donated to organizations who conducted our education programs.
In Brevard County over 1000 underprivileged children participated in watercraft excursions for hours on research projects on the Indian River funded by the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation with its partner, Barb Marine. Volunteers and members from Brevard participated in these grade and high school programs. The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of letters were received from teachers and participating students. All of these programs were supported by contributions from the public and corporate sponsors.
