Did you know that last year we had RECORD HIGH loggerhead nesting in Boca Raton? This equated to a nesting loggerhead turtle being seen during 75% of our TURTLE WALK PROGRAMS! Our Turtle Walk Programs include an ecology walk on the beach, so even if we aren’t able to see a nesting turtle, we do enjoy an evening walk on the beach.
While we can’t guarantee you will see a turtle on a Turtle Walk, you will see baby sea turtles scurry into the ocean during our HATCHLING RELEASE PROGRAM. Did you know Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is one of only three facilities in Florida permitted to conduct public Hatchling Release Programs?
Tickets must be purchased in advance for both of these programs and tickets sell out. No tickets are sold at the door. General Public Tickets are $17 each. Existing Members of Friends of Gumbo Limbo may purchase a specific number of tickets (based on Membership Level) for $10 each. Scroll down for ticket limits.
There are currently a few openings in Week 7 (July 29-Aug 2) of Gumbo Limbo's Summer Environmental Camp. Week 7 is for kids entering grades 5 and 6 in the Fall. The hours are 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Usually our camp is completely full at this point. If you are interested, please complete your registration form and mail it to the Camp Boca Raton office ASAP! Registration for this camp is not handled at Gumbo Limbo! Camp information and registration forms can be found here. We will remove this notice once we are informed that camp is full.
Surprise nesting leatherback seen during a stormy afternoon
Source:
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Date:
May 6, 2013
For almost forty years, Boca Raton’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program has monitored sea turtle nesting activity on Boca Raton beaches. While the majority of sea turtles nest at night, occasionally a sea turtle will come ashore during daylight hours to lay her eggs. On Thursday (May 2) afternoon, one leatherback turtle did just that, despite the torrential rain.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s Maine Conservationist, Kirt Rusenko, was called to the site in Spanish River Park by Boca Raton Ocean Rescue. “I arrived to witness a large, healthy leatherback sea turtle laying her eggs in the sand. After about an hour, she completed her nest and returned to the ocean. Usually a daytime nesting sea turtle would draw a crowd; however, the severe weather kept people off the beach.”
Friends of Gumbo Limbo announce this year’s winners of the Gordon J. Gilbert Scholarships
Source:
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Date:
May 6, 2013
Scholarships of $2000 each were awarded to high school seniors, Alex Nusbickel of Boca Raton High School and Melissa Brudier of Santaluces High School. Alex expects to study biology at a university (yet to be decided) leading to a medical degree. Melissa is planning to attend the University of Florida in the fall to study environmental engineering.
After spending several months at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (GLNC), two young Green sea turtles were released back to their home in the ocean after receiving medical care and rehabilitation at GLNC’s Sea Turtle Rescue Facility. Shannon and Max both turtles suffered from severe cases of a debilitating disease called Fibropapillomatosis (FP). Shortly after arrival, surgery was performed by GLNC veterinarians to remove the tumors, and after significant healing time and squid breakfasts, the turtles were deemed “tumor-free” and ready for release.
This week, April 21-27, 2013, is National Volunteer Week so at Gumbo Limbo, we are celebrating our Wonderful Volunteers!
They truly are Our Greatest Natural Resource!
Over the last 9 months, the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility (STRF) at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center has maintained a full house of sick and injured sea turtle patients. Thirty-five turtles have been admitted to the facility, many with multiple and severe injuries. Often visitors ask questions such as “how many turtles are brought into the facility every year?”, “what is the most common reason they are brought to Gumbo Limbo?”, or “what percentage of rehab turtles survive?”
April 17 Lecture-Migration: Animals On the Move
Source:
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Date:
April 11, 2013
April 17: Clive Pinnock, Okeeheelee Nature Center
Migration: Animals On the Move
The first nest of the season (in Boca Raton), a leatherback nest, was discovered on Sunday moring (April 7) by our Marine Turtle Specialists. Nest "Dc 1" was laid in South Beach Park.
Join us at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center for our 8th Annual Sea Turtle Day! This fun-filled family day of environmental education will be packed with exciting things to see and do, including live animal presentations, face painting, tank feedings, children’s theater, guided tours, sea turtle rehabilitation, kids crafts, awesome booths, and let’s not forget, great food! Our theme this year is “Say No to Sky Glow.” Light pollution is harmful to sea turtles, birds, and other animals, and can even affect YOUR health! Together we can make a difference…find out how. Celebrate the dark, come out to our park! For more information, visit the Sea Turtle Day web page. You can also "Like" us on Facebook!