Tag: turtle crawl

Moon Pies, McDonald’s, and… Sea Turtles

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

An Interview with Georgia Sea Turtle Center Director, Michelle Kaylor

Home to Rocky Top and the Great Smoky Mountains. The birthplace of Moon Pies, Mountain Dew soda, and the world’s oldest radio show. And the native state of the leader of a highly successful sea turtle rehabilitation hospital.

It may seem as if one of these things is not like the other. But in truth, it’s, well, true. Tennessee was once the birthplace and home of Michelle Kaylor, now director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Since 2007, Kaylor has worked at the Jekyll Island operation and has served as its Director for the past two years. Kaylor follows in the footsteps of Center founder and long-time director, and her mentor, Dr. Terry Norton.

Though her roots sprouted in a landlocked state, Kaylor admits she has long had a fascination with marine life. The marine dream started in 5th grade, when her school took students on what would become a very inspirational and influential field trip to Jekyll Island and its former 4-H facility (now Camp Jekyll). It was there Kaylor first tromped through marsh mud, seined the ocean, and took in vast exploration of the island’s well-preserved maritime forest.

Needless to say, “I was hooked,” she said.

Fast forward a few years, and Kaylor would study to become a marine biologist, specializing in aquarium sciences. She found herself then nestled at the Tennessee Aquarium for seven years, where she oversaw the exhibits showcasing large marine creatures, and one of two resident sea turtles the Aquarium acquired. This shelled gem was a green sea turtle named Oscar, who was taken in after a boat strike and had paralysis in the hind flippers with an inability to adequately dive. Though the aquarium was hesitant at first to take in the less-than-perfect specimen, it proved key for the educational exhibit.

“Having an imperfect representation of a species and a story behind why this happened to this animal is inspiring and allows more conversations for what visitors can do to help the species in the wild,” she said.

Speaking of wild, the story of how Oscar came to the Tennessee tourism staple was just that. When Kaylor went to pick Oscar up to bring him back to what would become his new home, “It was in a McDonald’s parking lot in Pigeon Forge,” she said.

“The last place I ever thought I would see a sea turtle alone (was) in a McDonald’s parking lot. The staff member caring for Oscar at the Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center brought Oscar up to Tennessee on the way to visit her family,” she said, and the rest was fast-food conservation history.

On Jekyll, sea turtles aren’t generally found in fast food parking lots either, but rather come to the now 16-year-old Center, typically due to boat-strike injuries like the one Oscar had, debilitation, cold-stunning, and other reasons. Annually, some 150,000 visitors trek through the Center, which is operated by the Jekyll Island Authority.

Aside from up-close views of these animals in their rehab tanks, and the occasional glimpse of one of the patients in surgery, the Center serves multiple purposes. At once, it is a hospital, rehabilitation, and research hub, as well as a beloved platform for educational programs. The latter purpose serves to increase awareness of sea turtle habitats and highlight wildlife conservation challenges, “promote responsibility for ecosystem health, and empower individuals to act locally, regionally, and globally to protect the environment,” Kaylor said.

However, after almost two decades serving this core mission, the Center’s purpose has grown, and, as should be expected, growing pains linger. “My goal is to expand on our mission as we plan for a future Center expansion, where we can satisfy growing operational needs and further serve our educational mission,” she said.

With such growth, Kaylor hopes to see the Center’s signature shining moments of marine life conservation and education continue as it inspires its visitors, as well as the hands which make the educational attraction so special. The Center is admittedly a fantastic venue for, yes, educating the public, but likewise serves as a unique vessel for educating those who help the landmark in its daily operations.

To date, she said, her most proud achievements are being able to witness an individual come to the Center, be it as a staff member, an intern or a volunteer, and see them grow as a professional and as a person.

“We strive every day at the Center to have small yet powerful moments of learning that can add up to large-scale change by telling each sea turtle patients’ story,” Kaylor said. “We can inspire others to make changes in their own lives, and (who then can) inspire others as well. We call this the ‘ripple effect’. My proudest achievement is seeing the ripples move outward into the world with our mission and stories.”

And while turtles are known for moving at a slow pace, Kaylor and the Center team are moving quickly, now and since the Center’s inception, to do just that.

For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, visit jekyllisland.com/gstc. To help support and further the Center’s mission, click HERE.

Another RECORD-Breaking Year Y’all for 2023 Turtle Crawl

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Michelle Kaylor, Director Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Another record-breaking year for the annual Turtle Crawl, all in the name of supporting the Jekyll Island Authority’s (JIA) Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s (GSTC) mission of sea turtle Rehabilitation, Research, and Education. This year broke the record for participation with 1,616 participants, the most participants ever to support the event since its inception.

What initially originated as a multi-race triathlon, Turtle Crawl has evolved over the years from hosting experienced athletes through a rigorous competition to a family-friendly event accessible to all.  Of note this year, the event welcomed participants ranging in ages from 84 years young to 2 years old. Turtle Crawl also saw participants travel near and far to join in this year’s races, with representation from more than 40 states, the UK and Germany. Since its inception the annual race has raised nearly $200,000 through the generous support of both participants and donors.

Taking place annually the last weekend in April, Turtle Crawl has also become one of the most recognized events promoting sea turtle conservation initiatives and serves as the kick-off to sea turtle season and nesting on the Georgia coast. And, if you visit Jekyll Island in the fall, consider planning a trip to experience the Cold-Stunned Plunge! This companion event to Turtle Crawl will take place on Saturday, November 25, 2023, ahead of the anticipated arrival of cold-stunned patients to the Center!

For information on how you can participate or volunteer for these events click HERE and to support the work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Click HERE.

Tech Teaching Tools

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Nicole Thomas, GSTC Education Program Manager

As the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) closes out its 15th anniversary year of education, rehabilitation, and research, the staff is looking forward in 2023. One of the Center’s goals this year is advancing ocean literacy through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) education. Understanding how the ocean supports and connects all life is vitally important to how decisions are made. The functions of the ocean impact what consumers buy, where they live, and what they eat. Pairing knowledge and awareness about the scientific processes of the ocean with creative problem-solving and solution-driven modifications are foundational pieces to the puzzle of sea turtle conservation.

How are these connections made? It usually begins in the classroom on a school field trip. The GSTC’s educational programs are designed as introductions to STEAM concepts and how humans can all play a role as ocean stewards. In the classroom, a variety of teaching methods are utilized like hands-on exercises and inquiry-based group work.

But STEAM isn’t just for students. One tech tool GSTC educators utilize for almost every school group is the interactive whiteboard. The whiteboard allows educators and students to work collaboratively, maintaining a higher level of engagement. Teachers can pull up models and data, interact with maps, and play videos. Using technology like e-boards is one of the ways GSTC staff can make a big impact in the short amount of time spent with students during their visit.     

Not every class has the funds or flexibility to visit the GSTC in person, but with STEAM education, learning can happen beyond the entrance doors. Second through twelve grade and college students can visit the Center through Virtual Field Trips covering a variety of topics like threats, veterinary medicine, habitats, and adaptations. These online programs provide an up-close view of the science and engineering that goes into rescue and rehabilitation.

Ensuring state-of-the-art teaching tools are available makes the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s educational programs unique, providing the opportunity to reach thousands of students each year. The Jekyll Island Foundation’s funding support of the Center’s education mission helps bring STEAM to life. To help support the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click HERE. To learn more about the Jekyll Island Foundation, click HERE.

Sea Turtles Breaking Records

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Davide Zailo, Research Program Manager, Georgia Sea Turtle Center

The start of nesting sea-turtle activity began early this year on Jekyll Island. On April 28th, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s (GSTC) sea turtle patrol team was notified of mysterious large tracks spotted above the high tide line on Jekyll’s south end. Normally, the team begin its surveys for nesting sea turtles in May. Staff loaded equipment into the beach-ready UTVs, a necessary purchase made possible through funding provided by the Jekyll Island Foundation, and headed to the scene. Indeed, there were tracks left from the flippers and shell of an adult loggerhead sea turtle that had emerged around high tide the night before. She did not nest during this attempt, and it was characterized as a “false crawl”; however, it was a sign of an impending busy nesting season. In fact, Jekyll Island had the earliest recorded 2022 sea turtle nesting season activity for the entire state of Georgia.

From May to the end of October (or until the last known nests have hatched in Georgia), the GSTC Research Team, permitted by GDNR, patrols Jekyll Island’s beaches throughout the night to encounter as many nesting loggerhead sea turtles as possible. These night patrols allow the team to study females directly, collect nest data, and provide unforgettable experiences for guests attending nighttime Education programs. To ensure that nesting is not interrupted, researchers carefully watch emerging turtles from a distance until they start to lay eggs or begin returning to the water in the case of a “false crawl” to begin performing data collection. Every turtle is safely examined, measured, tagged, and have a skin collection taken for genetic analysis according to a flow-chart of data collection priorities. If a sample is not able to be safely collected we will wait and hope to encounter the animal again later in the season.

Each morning at 6 a.m., our Night Patrol team is replaced by a smaller Dawn Patrol team which covers Jekyll’s beaches to perform a daily check of each nest to document its progress throughout incubation and ensure it remains safe from unnecessary predation risk from species such as raccoons and foxes. Five days after hatching, the nest is carefully excavated to assess egg hatching success and collect other information.

The most common nesting sea turtle species, the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), can weigh upwards of 300 pounds and lay up to multiple clutches, or nests, of 100+ eggs in a single season. Some turtles will place all their nests on Jekyll Island whereas others will distribute them among multiple islands. Nesting females are at least 30-35 years old and are the drivers of population growth, recovery, and ultimately, persistence. Tallying nests allows researchers to estimate numbers of adult females and whether the loggerhead population is increasing, stable, or declining. This year turned out to be a record-breaking year here on Jekyll, throughout Georgia, and the rest of the southeastern United States. A potential indication that the rewards of conservation and management activities such as protection of nesting sites and reductions in capture and mortality of sea turtles by commercial fishing vessels 30+ years ago are finally becoming apparent. On Jekyll, the island recorded 234 sea turtle nests which produced 21,624 hatchlings. For comparison, in 2004, only 25 nests were counted on Jekyll’s beaches.

These efforts would not be possible without the generous support of the Jekyll Island Foundation and its donors, supporting the native wildlife and building towards a more sustainable future.

To support the ongoing work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click HERE.

Meet Our Donors: Mike & Joy Cook

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Mike and Joy Cook joke that they “almost” don’t want to tell anyone how special Jekyll Island is.

“That lets the secret out,” they said, smiling in unison.

As the now former educators—she a librarian, he a teacher—were contemplating where to sunset after their careers, Joy read something about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), which prompted their first visit to the Island.

“We wanted to do something in retirement that helped animals and the environment,” she said.

Jekyll’s beauty made an indelible impression on these beach-loving Florida transplants and protecting it is especially important to them. “We’re from Miami…and saw what happened there with the skyline covered in skyscrapers,” Mike said.

“Here the moss-covered trees are our skyscrapers,” said Joy, “and even the gas station blends into the landscape.”

Once they bought a house on Jekyll and settled in, they got busy volunteering. “Let me put it this way,” teased Mike, “we’re DINKs (dual income no kids) with cats.” They signed up for a class on how to get involved and found out the GSTC had a virtual education program for youth, which they then supported for several years. They also got to know the park ranger and helped with some of nature programs such as Gatorology, the history, biology and conservation efforts related to the American Alligator, and Ranger Walks, a bald eagle nest viewing tour.

These days, in addition to any volunteer activities, they can often be found contributing to the Golden Isle’s edutainment through their Native American flute performances.

“We’ve been playing for about 20 years,” said Mike. “Before that, I’d never played an instrument.” It was a trip out west that first introduced them to the unique musical genre. They started to build a CD collection at their previous home in Florida, went to a dedicated school for the instrument in North Carolina, and eventually brought their talents with them to the Georgia coast.

“We like to share the idea of the flute circle, which is to help one another,” said Joy, speaking about their opportunities to perform for people on and off the Island.

That esprit de corps is also on display several times a week while they lead a class for practitioners of Qigong, an exercise flow of coordinated body-posturing along with breathing and meditation that supports health and spirituality.

When asked what they hope for Jekyll’s future, both agree that striking the right balance between what humans want and the environment needs has to be an ongoing commitment.

“The (Jekyll Island) Foundation does a good job [assisting with funding for] restoration projects in the Historic District and around the Island, [that help to] keep things preserved,” said Mike.

When ‘selling’ Island visits to family and friends, they make sure to mention how “laid back and comfortable” the atmosphere is, how the beaches aren’t as crowded as some of the other coastal destinations, and, of course, all the attractions—the GSTC, Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum, the great restaurants, fishing off the pier, Driftwood Beach (“a must see”), Horton Pond—as well as the trolley tours.

“Even as residents we love to go on the trolley tours,” said Joy. “Depending on the time of year, there’s always something new to learn about the Island.”

They are especially fond of the Christmas holidays. “The Island events are a lot of fun,” Mike said. “We’ve decorated the (golf) cart and driven in the parade around the Island looking at all the light displays.”

For Joy, the best light displays Jekyll has to offer come twice a day. “A dawn and at dusk,” she offers, “the colors of the sky are just breathtaking.”

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.   

It’s Turtle Crawl, Ya’ll!

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Alexa Hawkins, JIA Director of Marketing & Communications

Join other turtle-lovers at the annual Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl! Registration is underway for this fan-favorite event celebrating the start of sea turtle nesting season on the Georgia coast. Registrations from the Turtle Crawl races benefits the life-saving work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on behalf of the Jekyll Island Foundation.

Returning to the road Saturday, April 30, participants can run the beachside 5K or 10K races and receive a commemorative t-shirt. Those who place at the top of their category will also receive a 2022 race metal. Families looking to participate together can join in the one-kilometer Fun Run and 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. Following the races, join Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff for Shell-e-brate, the Center’s family-friendly all-day event featuring educational activities and visits with staff and animal ambassadors.

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 April 10 and online registration closed April 27!

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!