Volunteers Needed to Clean Up Turtle Habitat

If you have some free time between between now and mid March which you would like to use to help turtles, consider volunteering at Biscayne National Park in southern Florida. For the low, low cost of a day cleaning beaches, you get a sunny boat ride to the islands and the satisfaction of knowing you helped restore threatened turtle nesting grounds.

Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival

Are you looking for a turtley awesome way to contribute to marine conservation while having a good time?  Make plans to attend Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, April 12th and 13th.  Hank Williams Jr., Train, Sheryl Crow and many other artists will be there to reward you for choosing philanthropic entertainment.

Where to See Sea Turtles in Florida

If you're trying to figure out where you can see sea turtles in their natural habitats in Florida, you need to visit this site.  They list all the captive turtle facilities and public turtle watches in the state!  Pokey and I think it's a turtley awesome resource.

Suing for Turtle Protection

Wildlife Groups are Suing for More Protection of Turtles. I'm sad that there are likely poor shrimpers out there who can't afford the desired changes, but sometimes you just have to raise prices to cover necessary costs. I have to vote for the sea turtles this time. Sorry shrimpers.

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Hurricane Irene's Smallest Victims

Many baby sea turtle nests were unearthed, destroyed and / or relocated by Hurricane Irene. I learned from this article that my first instinct in this situation is not correct. Though I may want to "rescue" the tiny turtle and take it to a conservation group, they are actually more likely to survive if I leave them on the beach to fight with nature. So, its probably a good thing I live on the west coast. I'm not sure I could just sit there and watch the hatchlings get battered by the storm.

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Troubled Turtles in Queensland

I wish I had happier news, but it seems that sea turtles are washing up in high numbers in Queensland. My heart goes out to them.

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The Hungry Honu

The Fed may remove honu from "threatened" list at the request of the Hawaiians. Apparently they've recovered so well since being placed on the list of protected animals that they are threatening a local fish population. So, to put things back to "normal", the Hawaiians want to harvest and eat a few Honu. I'm not sure how I feel about that... You?

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Sea Turtles Eat Plastic

I've found a lot of good articles this week which Pokey wants me to get posted, but haven't had much time.  However, we were able to agree that this article, "One Sea Turtle's Worth of Plastic" should be mentioned first.  You have probably already heard how much plastic ends up in the ocean each year, but did you know that sea turtles end up eating it on accident?Sometimes it gets intertwined with the plankton and algae that makes up their normal diet.  Sometimes it gets mistaken for actual food on the ocean floor.  Either way, it is pretty crazy motivation for me to use less plastic when I see pictures like this.  I hope it is for you too!

Ooblek could have saved the turtles?

I've just learned that one scientist did extensive research on how to plug the BP oil spill, concluded and suggested that ooblek (a cornstarch mixture used to make kids play dough could stop the BP oil leak. Unfortunately his ideas were dismissed and he was kicked off the advisory board, so I guess we'll never know if the ocean could have been spared this catastrophe.

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Hidden Harbor Motel

One Florida Motel has been converted into a hospital for sea turtles! It warmed my heart to read about this place where turtles get a second chance at life and visitors are welcome to see the action. I've still never been to Florida, but now I know one reason I'd really like to go.

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Marine Turtles are Making a Comeback

Today I would like to thank all the cities, towns and organizations that protect the beaches where my beloved sea turtles lay their eggs. According to this article in the Hindustan Times, the birth of an annual turtle festival has helped save 28,000 turtle hatchings in just four years. It sounds like a pretty magical experience as well. I hope to make it there some day to show my thanks in person... With smiles and dollars.

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