News Release Holden Beach Turtle Patrol May 16, 2011
For more information contact: Cheryle Jones Syracuse 910-754-4401 Tony Marwitz 910-842-8993
The Holden Beach Turtle Patrol announces the first Turtle Talk of the summer will be June 1. Turtle Talk will begin at 7 p.m. at the Holden Beach Town Hall, 110 Rothschild Street on Holden Beach. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is limited.
This free weekly educational program will conducted each Wednesday evening in June, July and August. The program shares information about the Turtle Patrol, the sea turtles and how vacationers and residents can help the sea turtles that nest on Holden Beach.
Several turtle artifacts will be on display and educational materials available. The 45 minutes presentation includes a short video about the life cycle of the sea turtle. Members of the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol will be available and answer questions about the turtles and the program.
Turtle Talk is open to all family members and enjoyed by people of all ages with no admission charge.
Holden Beach is a Turtle Sanctuary and every year sea turtles are welcomed and protected on the beach. Founded in 1989, the HBTP protects sea turtles through education, nest protection and sea turtle rescue. The Turtle Patrol operates under the authority of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. In its 22nd year this all-volunteer program is supported by sale of an annual T- shirt and donations.
The official T-shirt design this year commemorates last year’s 2010 season and the three species of sea turtles that nested on Holden Beach last year. For the first time since the formation of the Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program protected three different species of sea turtles nest in one season. These included one leatherback, one green turtleand 29 loggerhead nests. The Holden Beach Turtle Patrol assisted a total of 3,118 hatchlings into the ocean in 2010.
The official 2011 T-shirt is available for sale at the Lighthouse Gift Shop in Holden Beach and will be on sale before and after Turtle Talk.
For more information on Turtle Talk, the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol or how to volunteer or support visit the website at www.hbturtlewatch.org.
