Facilities Enhancement
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
For many years, the National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation has been committed to enhancing the education and research facilities at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, located in Boca Raton, Florida.
In the summer of 2014, Gumbo Limbo unveiled their new marine science research annex, operated and utilized by FAU professors and students. Renovations of this dated facility were funded by the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation, totaling in excess of $80,000. Renovations to the facility included kid-friendly viewing areas so that the research happening down below could be seen by even the smallest of future marine biologists. The research area on the ground floor received a complete renovation and overhaul with new rust-resistant lab tables, washer/dryer, storage cabinets, as well as cutting edge lab equipment such as scales and UV sterilizers.
“Because of rotting lights, we had rust dropping into our tanks," said Jeanette Wyneken, an FAU biology professor who works in the lab. "We don't have to worry about that anymore. Part of doing good science is being able to control your environment.”
Florida Oceanographic Society
The first phase of the Florida Oceanographic Society's new seasonal sea turtle exhibit is underway. This exhibit, which has been sponsored by the National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation, will provide warm conditions for the Society's resident sea turtles during the cooler months of the year, when they would otherwise be kept out of the public's view. This system will also serve as a 'farm' for growing sea lettuce, a natural and nutritious food for the Society's captive green sea turtles.
Environmental Studies Center
The National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation is a strong supporter of the Environmental Studies Center located in Jensen Beach, Florida. Recently, the Foundation donated a beautiful 12- foot sea turtle educational display board to bring a more dynamic and hands-on learning experience to the children who visit the facility.
The display highlights the biology of sea turtles and focuses on conservation issues, such as pollution, and how they affect these endangered animals. The Center is part of the Martin County school district and serves as an educational facility for all the children in the County. Roughly 10,000 students pass through its doors each school year.
In addition, the Center's teaching boat, the River Scout, received a major upgrade funded through a grant from the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation. Most notably, the boat received new paint and an exciting hull wrap depicting an underwater scene complete with a sea turtle, fish, and coral reef. Safety equipment including a new VHF radio and Garmin navigation system were installed. New life jackets were purchased for all the staff and students. Before being put back in the water, the River Scout's motors were inspected and made ready for the new school year.
Educational Outreach Programs
Classroom Programming
The National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation works closely with the Inwater Research Group (IRG) to promote quality educational programming. The Foundation recently donated $31,350 to IRG to continue their international education initiative for K-12 students.
The initiative is entirely free to teachers and includes tailor-made lesson plans, in-class outreach presentations, and new “traveling trunks” containing all the education material teachers would need to carry out four conservation-based lesson plans. Just this past year alone, the partnership has been able to reach over 20,000 students with these programs.
North Beaches Art Walk
The National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation brings awareness about sea turtle conservation to the visitors of the North Beaches Art Walk in the Atlantic/Neptune Beach areas of Jacksonville Florida. The goal is to meet, educate, and encourage people to help protect sea turtles. On a typical art walk night (third Thursday of every month), the local community and visitors pack the streets of Atlantic/Neptune Beach Town Center area to enjoy this fun event.
Florida Environmental Outreach Magazine
Published quarterly, Florida Environmental Outreach Magazine is a full-color publication full of environmental news, current research, and National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation updates. A sure hit with readers of all ages! If you have an interesting topic or project you'd like our readers to know about, contact the Editorial Team at the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation to discuss your topic or submit an article.
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Helping Sea Turtles Survive for 38 Years
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