Gumbo Limbo’s 7th Annual Sea Turtle Day a Success
On Saturday, March 3, 2012, GumboLimboNatureCenterin Boca Raton, FLhosted the 7th Annual Sea Turtle Day to celebrate sea turtles and the ocean environment. The event attracted about 4000 visitors of all ages, which tied the previous attendance record from 2009, according to Kristin Child, an Environmental Program Coordinator at Gumbo Limbo. Guests were encouraged to stroll the grounds, take a guided tour, visit with about 30 environmentally friendly exhibitors, attend performances by Sol Children’s Theatre, and listen to educational talks about various creatures of nature. There were also arts, crafts, and games, as well as a chance to meet Luna, the new green sea turtle mascot. Food, drinks, and ice cream were available through various food vendors.
In addition to the festivities, The Nature Center and Friends of Gumbo Limbo unveiled a near shore reef saltwater tank, which will eventually house various fish, crustaceans, and other reef life. This was the first tank habitat, in a series of four, to be opened. Unfortunately, due to construction delays, the tank was not completely finished for the event, however, that did not seem to disappoint the visitors, who flocked to view the empty tank which should be filled soon.
Sea turtle specific exhibitors included Boca Raton Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Sea Turtle Research, Florida Hawksbill Project of Palm Beach Zoo,LoggerheadMarinelifeCenter, Sea Turtle Oversight Protection, and the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation (NSTSTF). Other groups in attendance focused on education and conservation of the coastal environment.
Representing the NSTSTF, Marine Biologist Connie Versteeg and volunteer Helena Schaff educated guests about sea turtle biology and nesting, the importance of keeping the lights off during nesting season, and pollution issues. One visitor to the booth, Kristine Halager, announced that she has now acquired a permit to handle sea turtle strandings inPompano Beachand Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in an effort to assist turtles inBrowardCounty. Kristine is not new to the sea turtle world. She has volunteered her time with sea turtles for a total of ten years, assistingLoggerheadMarinelifeCenter, FAU Sea Turtle Lab, and NSTSTF in a previous Costa Rica Project. She has also worked for five years onBrowardCounty’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program. For stranded turtles inPompano Beachor Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, she can be reached at (954)778-9848.
The successful festival marked the opening of sea turtle nesting season, which began on March 1st. It was free to the public (with a suggested entrance donation of $5) and included free parking atSpanish RiverPark, a free shuttle to the entrance, and free entry into a door prize drawing. Sponsors included Friends of Gumbo Limbo,PNC Bank, David Lerner Associates, Inc., Classical South Florida 89.7 and Sweet Tomatoes.
