Sea Turtle Conservancy

So far I am not very happy. I donated and adopted a turtle for a friend's birthday. She hasn't received any notification and I have emailed asking about it with no response. I have notification, but my understanding she was also to get notification. I'm now beginning to wonder if this is a scam. Not happy

The Barrier Island is a wonderful educational center.
The staff is top notch.

Sarah does a wonderful job keeping unique local art in the gift shop.

Joy is very willing to work with classroom teachers adding new classes and local talks/presentations. Her classes and presentations are well advertised for everyone ie. local families and friends.

The presentations are very informative and professionally done.

Celeste presented a wonderful turtle talk to our local sea glass club, everyone enjoyed the talk and learned a lot about turtles.
She did a great job and is a natural at presentations.

The Ocean Treasures and Sea Glass Festival takes all the volunteers to run the event, its a wonderful event, well run and organized, everyone looks forward to the yearly event.

Thank you for a wonderful center.

Its always clean and well kept place to visit.
The monthly flyer is wonderfully done, advertising monthly events.

It is heartwarming to see such a dedicated group . Thank you for all that you do!

I started volunteering at the Barrier Island Center this year. I have learned much about the turtles and hope to learn a lot more. I look forward every week to going there and volunteering and at the same time learning so much that I never knew.

Have worked with volunteered with this group and this organization is a wonderful, dedicated and knowledgeable organization. On behalf all of us that care about sea life and sea turtles, thank you!!

Sea Turtle Conservancy is truly a GREAT non-profit because the are saving a global treasure from extinction! Honored to live in the Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge, I’m also very fortunate to work with the devoted stewards of STC. These folks give their heart and souls for these precious sea turtles!

A great place tovolunteer,also get in contact with World wide visitors and the love of nature and preservation to come in this area,we have only one earth,to live in so far! Because of the very special coast whete turtle decide to nest,we also preserve an exceptional place in the world where a bit of wilderness can be felt and experience.
Isa Desantis volunteer.

I have been volunteering at the Barrier Island Center in Melbourne Beach for over 3 years now. Never have I met such a wonderful, caring staff - caring of their visitors, their volunteers, as well as their cause, the Sea Turtles! It seems that every time I volunteer, I also learn something new- either from the visitors that come into the Center, or our dedicated & educated staff. I never lose the thrill of assisting with our Turtle Walks during the summer. To see the looks on our Guests' faces when they see a turtle for the first time, till the turtle enters back into the ocean - Wow! I LOVE the Barrier Island Center / Sea Turtle Conservancy!!

KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF
Fun Lay Out
Great short films about the area
Everybody leaves with more information about this area and the Turtles

After spending several years working for STC, I have continued my monthly contributions to STC for many reasons - most importantly my dollars go directly towards on-the-ground sea turtle conservation work. This is a dedicated, hard working team of individuals committed to protecting turtles and their habitats in Florida. I never wonder how my money is being spent. They lobby on behalf of conservation and are not afraid to get involved in tough issues in Tallahassee. This team doesn't just work at STC...they live the mission daily and I love that. As a teacher who is underpaid, I am very conservative with my money. STC is an organization I happily make a monthly automated donation to. Keep up the wonderful work!

Sea Turtle Conservancy is an amazing organization! They have made an incredible impact from communicating environmental education to sea level rise policy - I am very impressed with all they are able to do for not only sea turtles but our overall coastal and marine ecosystems. Donna Lee Crawford does an amazing job hosting Eco Explorer's summer camp and Tour de Turtles in Melbourne Beach at the Barrier Island Center each year.

Sea Turtle Conservancy has something for everyone: educational displays for adults and interactive models for children. The location is oceanfront also features native plants from ocean to lagoon along trails that pass a kayak launch.
The staff are very welcoming and willing to answer contemporary environmental questions. The volunteer coordinator offers a variety of ways to serve and keeps us well informed of up coming special events.
Special events are especially notable with a mix of fundraising and educational types. The most exciting are the turtle releases that draw a crowd from miles around with media attention.

I moved from New Castle, Pennsylvania to Melbourne Beach, Florida in January, 2001.

We took the access to the beach, using the stairs over the dunes, and noticed very large tracks that we thought were tire tracks. Originally living in western PA farming country, we thought the tracks were from machinery. Had we been educated about TURTLES and aware of their tracks coming out of the ocean, our assumption would have been different.

When the Barrier Island Sanctuary was scheduled to open on Mother's Day, 2008, I attended the first meeting for volunteers and have been a volunteer in the Mermaid's Purse Gift Shop ever since. The Sea Turtle Conservancy manages the gift shop with proceeds benefitting sea turtle education, research and conservation at the Sanctuary. I am in AWE, concerning all the educational information I have been exposed to during my years as a volunteer.

The Barrier Island Sanctuary welcomes school groups, which are often visiting while I am volunteering in the gift shop. The children are so eager to absorb all the facts in the exhibits and enjoy how everything is presented with interest and fun, while learning! Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program partnered with Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Sanctuary offer dune-to-lagoon educational programs with a connection on sea turtles for school study trips.

On some school trips, the children are so impressed to view the Ocean, as the Barrier Island Sanctuary is adjacent to it. Several of the school children that visit just live across the river, and this is their first time at the ocean and able to view all of the TURTLE exhibits.

The Barrier Island Sanctuary, including the Mermaid's Purse Gift Shop, has many repeat visitors, including the locals and also the northerners/SNOWBIRDS!

I really enjoy my participation with Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Barrier Island Sanctuary.
Pauline

I work with the Sea turtle Academy as an assistant as well as with special events. Recently, we held the annual Creature Fest. I was lucky enough to work the owl pellet table for the day. It was awesome to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the kids as they dissected the pellets and made their discoveries. The day was a great success overall, well attended, and enjoyed by all while being educational at the same time. I heard many positive comments from parents throughout the day in addition to the smiles and exclamations from the kids.

Sea Turtle Conservancy's tireless dedication to sea turtles and their environment is inspiring. It's has allow me to become involved, to help make a difference. My volunteership taught me so much about the life cycle of sea turtles and what can be done to give them a better chance at survival. They lead the way through education and action to save our sea turtles around the world.

Sea Turtle Conservancy does extraordinary work in the field of sea turtle conservation! Not only do they partner with numerous other non-profits to support conservation efforts throughout the state of Florida, they continually spread awareness on social media and in the communities where they have a presence. They are active in supporting conservation efforts both in grassroots efforts with local citizens as well as with state and local governments when appropriate.
Their efforts are to be applauded and I will continue to support this wonderful organization with both my time and my money!

Nice place to work. feel like vacation while working

Sea Turtle Conservancy is an excellent group of experts working hard to protect our sea turtles. With the growing impact of coastal development and sea level rise on sea turtle nesting beaches, I especially value the work that this organization is doing to advocate at the policy level for protection of this vital habitat.

Love the great programs they offer the community and the work they do to protect sea turtles and their environment.

I am following up my review last year to reiterate my pleasure of working with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. They are all outstanding people committed to a fantastic cause. I am honored to serve as a member of the board.

The STC is a great nonprofit! They are very dedicated to what they do and passionate about their work.

I have been a volunteer with Sea Turtle Conservancy in various aspects, and recommend association with this fabulous organization to anyone. Their staff and volunteers are truly committed to the preservation of our wonderful sea turtles, and it is very obvious that all involved truly take this mission to heart. They have become an extension to my family.

After 13 years as a volunteer and donor, I can report with confidence that this group does not stray from its mission to conserve sea turtle populations in the Atlantic and Caribbean. I have experienced no instances of personal agendas from any of the staff members, as often happens in non-profit groups. All employees defer to the turtles and are dedicated to the research, advocacy and education necessary to keep sea turtles on the path to recovery. As both a guide for nesting observation walks on the beach in Florida and as a field station research volunteer in Tortuguero, I feel that I am genuinely helping to save sea turtles from extinction. As a donor, I feel that my money is appreciated and used wisely. This is a truly worthy non-profit, both of my time and my money. The STC is staffed by dedicated, intelligent, thoughtful people and the volunteer experience has been one of the most important experiences of my life. I hope to be active with them for decades to come.

I have volunteered with STC for the past 10 years leading turtle walks every summer. I have met some amazing people dedicated to education and conservation and consider it an honor to be a part of such a great group. See you guys in June for year number 11! Keep up the good work.

Residents of the "South Beaches" in Brevard County, FL were excited with the arrival of the Barrier Island Environmental Center. I have participated in many programs offered by the Sea Turtle Conservancy at this facility, and have volunteered in many capacities at special events since the Center first opened its doors. Most importantly, when I have guests, I take them to the Barrier Island Center for information about the sea turtle activities on our beaches and in our waters. We often walk the trails and experience the natural wonders our barrier island has to offer. I hope my friends spread the word and bring more eco-tourists to our county.

I have learned so much about Sea Turtles from this wonderful organization. I have been to several events, including Tour de Turtles and guided sea turtle walks where I saw my first female loggerhead nesting in the Archie Carr National Wildlife refuge. I was a life changing experience.

I have been a volunteer for 4 years and help in the gift shop. This was a first for me in volunteering for an organization and It has been one great experience. I can't really say enough about the people and work that they do to protect sea turtles. The education and programs they provide have brought awareness to so many people in communities. They should truly be on the 2012 Top Rated Nonprofits List!

I volunteer to help with the sea turtle walks during the nesting season in June and July, plus I have helped on other activities at the Barrier Island Center in South Brevard County. I enjoy sharing the sea turtle experiences with interested people - locals and visitors. These walks are well organized by the STC, and the visitors have enjoyable experiences while learning about sea turtle conservation.I joined the STC several years and am enthusiastic about the work performed by the organization.

I volunteer every Tuesday at the Barrier Island Center in a gift shop run by Sea Turtle Conservancy. This wonderful nonprofit does much more for me then I ever do for them! The staff has a broad amount of different skills but all comes together for love of sea turtles. It has been a wonderful learning experience. Carolyn .

This was the first conservation organization to which I joined and donated and is the only one that I have faithfully kept membership in over many, many years. I feel so strongly about the positive impact that they have on sea turtle conservation that I travel from Pennsylvania every summer to volunteer as a scout for their sea turtle walks and help out with their Tour de Turtles function. The STC staff are approachable, dedicated, and genuinely passionate about thier work, be it in education, advocacy, or outreach. I am proud to be a member and volunteer of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and would encourage everyone to explore their exceptional website!

I volunteered at the Barrier Island Center, for many years, and it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life..Really!.. Because I was working with experienced, friendly people ,who truely believed in the worth of their cause.., "The dedicated care, and concervancy of all sea turtles",,,,,,And, the sharing of their far ranging knowledge of the sea, and the importance of all it's creatures...

It does not seem possible over four years have gone by since the opening of the Barrier Island Center just outside Melbourne Beach, Florida. When they announced a special meeting asking for volunteers, they were delighted at the turnout which was more than double what they expected. There was a brief outline of the goals of the facility and their hopes for the future. One of these goals was to provide educational programs for young and old alike promoting sea turtles and their marine habitat. The educational exhibits are outstanding, as are the several videos running in a continuous loop throughout the day. They have had people visit the facility from all over the world including Russia, France, Germany, Phillipines, New Zealand and Canada to name a few. In addition, guests from all over the United States marvel at this fine facility. They host a gift shop managed by the Sea Turtle Conservancy where you can find many handcrafted items, many by local artists, for affordable prices. This facility is a "not to be missed" jewel nestled on the coastline of Brevard County in the heart of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, visit them soon. They are open any day but Monday.

I volunteer with the school groups and this type of volunteering is at the top of my list. The staff is one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable I've been involved with. This is the most worthy cause to be exposed to and how fortunate to work with pre-schoolers and elementary age students to set a foundation about protecting our ocean and sanctuary. Hopefully the message goes home for the students to share with their parents. Education is the key and this organization knows how to get the word out! I look forward to the monthly activities and thoroughly enjoy the guest speakers, hikes, field trips, and arts and crafts. I especially love to bring all of my out of town guests to the BIC for a tour and let them fall in love with our paradise!

I have witnessed some of the most sincere dedication to a cause that I have ever seen while working with Sea Turtle Conservancy! The staff, event attendees, volunteers, members, etc. show so much heartfelt enthusiasm in all of their efforts! My experience within STC has truly been life changing, I know it will continue to be the same for many more in the future.

When my youngest sister, Lisa, passed away unexpectedly at age 43, from complications of a serious congenital heart condition in May 2012, we wanted to honor her memory and her activism on behalf of animals. She had a passion for sea turtles and we chose as a family to get behind her favorite charity by establishing The Lisa Jo Randgaard Fund, an endowed fund, at Sea Turtle Conservancy. STC executive director David Godfrey has worked closely with our family and guided us every step of the way, making us feel valued and involved. It has been such an extraordinary comfort to our grieving family, and this is just one more way we have of letting David and the Sea Turtle Conservancy know how much we appreciate their wonderful work and great support. We know that Lisa is looking down very pleased by what we have done in her name. Having her enduring legacy tied to STC means the world to us.

I vacation in Melbourne, Florida once a year which is where I first learned of this fine organization. They educate the public about the dangers sea turtles are facing, help sick turtles and monitor and protect the turtles nests. These are but a few of the many things they do. (I did write a much better version of this but because I hadn't filled in the star rating, when I did so it wiped out a better description of all these fine people do.)

Worked as a research assistant for the 2012 Green Turtle nesting season in Tortuguero. Had an amazing experience! It was an honor to work with the best and longest running sea turtle program on the planet!

I assist in a remedial reading class. We did a unit on sea turtles. To personalize the unit, I adopted a sea turtle on behalf of the students. We received a packet with a Certificate of Adoption with our turtle's picture on it, among other information. The students have become "parents" and enjoy going online to track their turtle's travels. Since our classroom is nowhere near an ocean and these kids may never see a sea turtle in their lifetime, this program has helped to personalize that experience from afar. I also had some questions about some of the informational material we received. My emails were promptly acknowledged and my questions answered almost immediately, thanks to the adoption co-ordinator.

I spent 3 weeks in Tortuguero volunteering on the sea turtle nesting project and it was amazing! I have been a lifelong fan of turtles and finally getting a chance to see and touch some up close was a dream come true. I will never forget the night I was lying on my belly, with my gloved hand under a turtle catching her eggs as they were laid so that I could count them. And it was pouring rain which added to the experience so much. Holding that turtle's precious babies in my hand was incredible and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I have spent a total of 5 weeks at Tortuguero and will be back for more. It is a magical experience! The full moon glistening off the breaking surf, sounds of the night from the rain forest behind the beach , & giant turtles lumbering up the beach to undertake a nesting process that they have been doing for 100 million years. Here is a place of great historical significance and a showcase for conservation done right. The accommodations are good, the people are friendly & the food is delicious. The last time I was there the Research Assistants & staff represented a dozen different counties. For anyone who likes nature & turtles, in particular, it is an unforgettable experience.

The most effective organization working to protect sea turtles today. The protect several critical nesting beaches, provide a strong voice in international wildlife policy, and have strong research and educational programs.

I was involved in a Stewardship program at the Barrier Island Center. I learned a great deal about sea turtles and the importance of enhancing the dunes with plants, low or non-lighting on the beaches and lots of facts about turtles from "Doc".

Intern at Caribbean Conservation Corporation is a very experience for me. I learned all sea turtle categories and where they live. I also learned the importance to protect the sea turtles and their living environments. Meanwhile, I helped improve Caribbean Conservation Corporation's website to provide more information to web browsers and make the website more user friendly. In a conclusion, it's a great experience for me to volunteer at Caribbean Conservation Corporation.