Tag: diamondback terrapin

Crawling into Nesting Season

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

With May 1st marking the official start of turtle nesting season along the Georgia coast, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) is already busy patrolling Jekyll Island’s causeway for diamondback terrapins and beaches for nesting sea turtles.

DIAMONDBACK TERRAPINS

The GSTC and Jekyll Island Foundation (JIF) donors have partnered for nearly 10 years in diamondback terrapin rescue, research, and implementation of various protection methods during nesting season. These efforts focus on decreasing terrapin road mortality rates. The GSTC’s diamondback terrapin patrol team routinely drive the causeway in search of nesting mamas crossing the road and inspecting nest boxes for similar signs. Recently, JIF and ANIMEX, a new partner, donated fencing materials that were installed on either side of the entrance to Jekyll’s causeway, adding one more component used to help decrease terrapin roadway mortality rates.

SEA TURTLES

And along the beaches these ancient reptiles emerge from the ocean to begin nesting as early as May. Fertile turtles crawl slowly to the dunes, enter a trance as their eggs drop into the sand, laying over 100 ping-pong ball-like eggs under the cover of darkness. Then, the GSTC Sea Turtle Patrol Team jumps into action gathering measurements, identification information, and ensuring the nest is protected from predators and human disturbances. The data collected helps inform local, regional, and international conservation efforts.

Jekyll Island visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime experience can join GSTC educators under the stars by registering for an Evening Turtle Walk or Ride with Night Patrol on select nights in June and July. There’s no guarantee a nesting turtle will appear, but the evening promises to make the night memorable!

The GSTC hospital and patrol teams continue to work diligently to rescue and rehabilitate these gentler creatures. Investments of any size are welcome and appreciate. GIVE NOW.

Here before you know it!

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Ben Carswell, JIA Director of Conservation and Sustainability

This year, 2022, marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Jekyll Island State Park. And yet, many visitors to Jekyll Island never know that this unique place contains more than just the Island itself. In fact, by the time one slows to make the turn from Highway 17 onto the Downing Musgrove Causeway, they have already crossed into its welcoming boundaries. The six miles of causeway to follow offers expansive views across nearly 7,000 acres of tidal marshlands brimming with biological diversity and dotted with forested marsh hammock isle-lets, all of which lies within the Park’s boundary. This lesser-known side of Jekyll Island, known as the “back-barrier marshes” covers more area than the Island itself and supports over half of the Wildlife Priority Species identified in the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan.

Like its State Park boundary, the work of the Jekyll Island Foundation doesn’t stop at the foot of the bridge onto the Island. The Jekyll Island Conservation Plan sets forth the following management priorities for the Causeway and back-barrier marshes:

  1. Minimize vehicle strike mortality of Wildlife Priority Species
  2. Reduce immigration of exotic-invasive plants and animals
  3. Prevent loss of elevation due to erosion or compaction of soils surrounding the Causeway
  4. Promote habitat diversity
  5. Maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for drivers and cyclists that affords opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty and abundance of wildlife evident upon arriving

The excellent work spearheaded by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to better understand and protect Diamondback Terrapins along the Causeway is a shining example for how Foundation dollars can make a difference towards achieving these goals. Another For the Record piece this month highlights the latest big step in efforts to help terrapins avoid roadway hazards. And coming soon, thanks to generous donor support through the Foundation, the Jekyll Island Authority will be able to add a mile of new native wildflower meadow along the east end of the Causeway, making arrival to the Island even more welcoming, not just for human visitors, but for pollinating bees and butterflies as well.

The Causeway and back-barrier marshes are a truly special part of the Jekyll Island experience that connects the Island with the broader community of Brunswick and the Golden Isles, mutually strengthening the well-being of many. The next time you turn onto the Jekyll Island Causeway, take your time, breath in the fresh air, brake for terrapins, and think about giving to the Jekyll Island Foundation. Your contributions go a long way towards empowering better stewardship of every corner of Jekyll Island State Park.   

Turtle Crawl Returns to the Road

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Alexa Hawkins, JIA Director of Marketing & Communications

Run a race, save a turtle! Turtle Crawl, the fan-favorite annual race event, returns to the road on Saturday, April 30, 2022! After its 2020 cancelation and virtual format in 2021, sea-turtle lovers can once again race on Jekyll Island in celebration of the start of sea turtle nesting season on the Georgia coast. This important fundraising event supports the lifesaving work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, on behalf of the Jekyll Island Foundation. Your support helps continue the Center’s mission of sea turtle rehabilitation, research, and education.

Join other race participants at Great Dunes Beach Park to compete in one of three on-island race options —a 10K, a 5K, or a one-kilometer family Fun Run—and receive a commemorative t-shirt for participating. Those who place at the top of their category will also receive a 2022 race metal. Participants can also pose for a photo with the Center’s official mascot, Scute C. Turtle, and friends. For those who want to support the Georgia Sea Turtle Center from afar, or simply sleep in and still get a t-shirt, registrants can join the race through a virtual Ghost Crawler option.

After the races, participants can join the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for their annual event, Shell-e-Brate, for free family activities and hands on learning, in addition to seeing the real-time rehabilitation of current patients, happening all day at the Center.

Turtle Crawl was created in 2003 as a fundraiser for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center which, with more than a decade in operation, has provided care for more than 3,000 patients, including a variety of sea turtle species and other coastal wildlife. Turtle Crawl participants have raised more than $100,000 to help save sea turtles, with more than $24,000 raised in 2021!

Become a sea turtle ambassador and race for a cause at this one-of-a-kind event supporting sea turtle conservation. Be sure to register soon as race registrations increase March 10!

2021 Virtual Turtle Crawl

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Erin Evors, JIA Social Media Manager

Turtle Crawl is back! Created in 2003 as a fundraiser for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), the Turtle Crawl races have continued to support the Center’s mission of sea turtle research, rehabilitation, and education. Since its inception, race participants have raised more than $100,000 to help sea turtles survive and thrive.

This year, to ensure the health and safety of all, the 2021 Turtle Crawl is going virtual! Run from your favorite stretch of sand or pavement on Saturday, May 1, 2021 to mark the start of sea turtle nesting season. Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, and Ghost Crawler registrations provide multiple participation levels. Loggerhead registration is available for the first 200 participants at $40 per person, and participants receive a race T-shirt and medal. Kemp’s Ridley, the standard registration, is $30 per person and participants receive a race T-shirt. For those looking to sleep in and still support the Center, Ghost Crawler registrations are available for participants to provide donations in increments of $5.

Become a sea turtle ambassador and race for a cause by registering for the 2021 Virtual Turtle Crawl Race, where every turtle-loving supporter is a winner! Looking to support the Center in other ways? Consider a symbolic adoption to directly support many of the Center’s current patients undergoing rehabilitation, or text SAVETURTLES + any donation amount to 844-889-2692 to provide financial support for patient care and resources needed to continue the life-saving work.