Latest news with #SEETurtles
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Children's Book 'Starla's Special Shore' Inspires Young Conservationists During Nesting Season
Released ahead of International Sea Turtle Day (June 16), the lyrical and educational story—published by Tupelo Media, LLC—empowers families to protect sea turtles while supporting the Billion Baby Turtles initiative by SEE Turtles. TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With International Sea Turtle Day approaching on June 16 and nesting season now in full swing along U.S. coastlines, a new children's book is helping young readers—and their families—better understand how to care for nesting sea turtles. Starla's Special Shore, written by Florida author and conservationist Jim McClellan and illustrated by environmental scientist and artist Dr. Lynn Wilder, tells the story of a mother sea turtle's first return to the beach, guided by her own mother's wisdom. The book uses lyrical rhymed verse and vivid watercolors to bring the sea turtle nesting journey to life—while introducing real-world conservation concepts for children ages 6–12. It's already being embraced by bookstores, gift shops, and parents as both a bedtime favorite and a hands-on teaching tool. "I think kids are wired to care about the world around them," said McClellan. "This book is about giving them a story that stirs their imagination—and nudges them toward habits that help, not harm." The book concludes with:– A 7-day Turtle Helper Checklist– Real sea turtle facts presented in kid-friendly language– Practical tips for reducing human impact on nesting beaches A STORY WITH A CONSERVATION MISSION To extend its impact beyond the page, proceeds from early sales of Starla's Special Shore support SEE Turtles, an award-winning nonprofit whose Billion Baby Turtles initiative funds hatchling protection efforts worldwide. "We love how this book connects young readers to the challenges sea turtles face while also giving them concrete ways to help. It's an inspiring story and a meaningful partnership," said Brad Nahill, President and Co-Founder, SEE Turtles. "Starla has a special place on our children's shelves and is sure to be a treasured keepsake for vacationing kids and their parents," said Dale Julian, owner of Downtown Books in Apalachicola, Florida. "This story mirrors the hope we all carry—that the next generation will both inherit and protect the natural world," said Dr. Lynn Wilder, the book's illustrator. "It's a reminder that the smallest actions can make the biggest difference—especially for sea turtles." ABOUT THE AUTHORS Jim McClellan is a fifth-generation Floridian and communications professional whose lifelong connection to the rivers and beaches of Northwest Florida has shaped both his work and his writing. He founded The Starla Project to inspire environmental stewardship through storytelling and community engagement. Lynn Wilder, PhD, is a retired CDC and EPA scientist turned watercolor artist and sea turtle volunteer. Her work blends scientific understanding with artistic beauty to raise awareness about marine life and environmental health. ABOUT SEE TURTLES SEE Turtles is an international nonprofit that protects endangered sea turtles through travel, education, and advocacy. Its Billion Baby Turtles program has funded the protection of more than 10 million hatchlings globally. MEDIA CONTACTJim McClellanTupelo Media, LLCEmail: 396555@ Phone: (850) 748-2472Website: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Tupelo Media LLC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Keys symbolic release of sea turtle heralds Earth Day
April 22 (UPI) -- Hundreds arrived at Marathon, Fla., to witness the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle named Addie into the Atlantic Ocean during the Florida Keys Earth Day celebration Tuesday morning. Addie was found in August and taken to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon while near death, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. She was afflicted with fibropapilloma tumors and had a large fishhook embedded in her esophagus when she arrived at the hospital that specializes in treating sea turtles. Addie died several times but was brought back to life three times during her stay at the hospital and eventually recovered. Turtle Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach on Monday thanked the small non-profit's supporters for their "healing energies for Addie!" in a Facebook post announcing Addie's release to celebrate Earth Day. "Addie's journey in rehab was a long one," Zirkelbach said. "With the help of our incredibly dedicated animal care team, she beat the odds and is returning to her ocean home tomorrow, on Earth Day." Addie was released back into the ocean at Sombrero Beach in Marathon at 10 a.m. Six of the world's seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered, according to SEE Turtles. Sea Turtles face many dangers, including being caught in fishing nets, becoming entangled in debris and swallowing pieces of discarded plastic that wind up in the world's oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries division. People can protect sea turtles by participating in coastal cleanups and reducing the use of plastics that could wind up in the water or litter beaches, NOAA Fisheries says. People also should avoid releasing balloons that could end up in the ocean waters, where sea turtles might confuse them for prey and swallow them. Nesting beaches should be protected and kept safe for sea turtles by turning off or shielding lights from the nesting areas that could disorient hatchlings or discourage females from nesting. Any nesting sea turtles, hatchlings and nests also should be left alone, and organizing sea turtle watches can help ensure they have safe nesting areas to reproduce. People also should remove chairs and umbrellas at night and knock down any sand castles and fill in any holes they might make during the daytime to prevent blocking sea turtles from their preferred nesting areas. Boaters also are advised to go slowly through near-shore waters, bays and sounds to avoid hitting sea turtles as they surface for air. Boaters also should remove their boats from nesting areas on beaches to enable easy access for sea turtles.
