STAR Receives Grant Award
December 2006
Sea Turtles At Risk (STAR), a Franklin County non-profit organization, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). STAR is dedicated to protecting and restoring the nesting habitat of threatened and endangered marine turtles on developed beaches while being sensitive to the needs of the humans that share the nesting habitat. Their main area of interest is St George Island but lighting consultation will be considered in other areas by request. This grant award is intended specifically for assisting property owners on St. George with retrofitting their beach view properties to be more sea turtle friendly. STAR is offering lighting evaluation and turtle "friendly" recommendations at no charge to better assist property owners assess their need for lighting improvements. Those interested should contact Bruce Hall at 850-653-3820. More information on sea turtles and lighting can be found at www.seaturtlesatrisk.org.
Sea Turtle Lighting Project Goes Independent
STAR is the acronym for Sea Turtles At Risk, a new non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles through habitat restoration, preservation, and public education. This organization is born out of the sea turtle friendly lighting project that has been a part of the Apalachicola Bay and Riverkeeper since 1999. Under the umbrella of Riverkeeper's and with the help of dedicated volunteers, this successful project has grown and prospered and is now ready to be a new conservation organization in its own right.
STAR's primary area of focus is Franklin County with efforts primarily concentrated on St. George Island at this time. STAR's purpose is to help property owners design and implement sea turtle friendly lighting plans for houses on or near sea turtle nesting beaches and to educate property owners and visitors on how to share the shore with the wildlife that depend on this pristine habitat for their continued survival.
Thanks to all of the property owners who have implemented sea turtle friendly lighting and all who have supported our efforts to protect the sea turtles and nesting beaches in the past. The name STAR is new. but the folks and efforts are still the same. If you would be interested volunteering please contact Bruce Hall at 850-653-3820. We invite you to visit their website at www.seaturtlesatrisk.org.
Reprinted from the Spring 2005 Editon Vol VI No 1of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper May 1, 2005