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The first Junior Sea Turtle Biologist Seminar was
conducted the week of July 11th at The Nature Conservancy in
Little Princess on the North side of St. Croix. The seminar
series was designed to educate local grade and high school students (ages
12-16) about the biology of turtles, and threats to local sea turtle species.
The seminar also encouraged participation in field research of sea turtle biology
and consideration of the field of Marine Biology as a potential career.
The seminar was organized by Kemit Amon Lewis, a St.
Croix native, who is currently pursuing his Masters degree at Savannah State
University, in Savannah Georgia. Mr. Lewis recruited local sea turtle
biologists to speak on a variety of topics. Speakers included Steve
and Jeanne Garner
of WIMARCS, Amy Mackay of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, William Coles of V.I. DPNR-Division
of Fish and Wildlife, along with Mr. Lewis. Topics included: basic biology,
local concerns and conservation efforts, global concerns and conservation
efforts, community efforts, and local research and tagging programs. These
topics were addressed for all three main nesting species of sea turtles on
St. Croix, including the critically endangered leatherback, the endangered
hawksbill, and threatened green sea turtles.
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At the conclusion of the week long seminar,
participants were treated to a barbecue at the Frederiksted pool, followed
by a hands-on educational experience at Sandy Point National Wildlife
Refuge. While on the refuge, the turtle experience culminated with students
witnessing first-hand the hatching of a clutch of leatherback turtles. The
first Junior Sea Turtle Biologist Seminar proved to be a great success in
educating and encouraging budding biologists in the science of sea turtles.
Look for information on the 2006 sea turtle seminar in
the near future. This seminar will be held immediately after the
school year.
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