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On behalf of the Jekyll Island Foundation, I am proud to report that a significant milestone was accomplished on June 16, 2007 with the opening of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) on Jekyll Island, Georgia. It is very inspiring to witness the reactions of people, young and old, as they learn about and look in amazement as the turtles swim in their rehabilitation tanks where they are in recovery from various forms of injury or illness. It is a great tribute to all the donors who have given of their time and money to build this facility. To date, more than $2.9 million in direct support has been raised for this dynamic facility. The GSTC offers a variety of seasonal and year-round educational programs, special tours, conservation and research programs, all which help to provide a sustainable source of revenue. Reports from the Turtle Center indicate that they have hosted a total of 50,000 regular admission visitors, 2,000 group admissions, and 2700 beach program participants for a combined revenue of $296,000 since opening. Net revenue from retail equals $100,000. Other sources providing funding for current and future initiatives consist of the recently developed GTSC Membership program, and the ongoing Legacy Brick program. A total of seventeen sea turtles have been treated at the GSTC. Two of these turtles were equipped with satellite transmitters and released back into the ocean. I encourage you to visit the Center’s website at www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org to view the progression of their journey in the wild. While there, check out the link to the blog site to learn more about the current and former patients and ongoing activities offered by the staff. Most recently, seven juvenile endangered sea turtles (five Kemp’s Ridley and two Green turtles) were flown from the New England Aquarium in Boston to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The stranded turtles were rescued from the shore of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dehydrated and malnourished. They will rehabilitate on Jekyll Island until Spring of 2008, when they will be released. The Jekyll Island Foundation continues to provide support to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center through the Legacy Brick and Naming Opportunity programs. If you would like to obtain information on either of these programs, please contact the staff at 912-635-4402 or foundation@jekyllisland.com. It has been a year of many firsts at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and one of many great celebrations to come. The Jekyll Island Foundation extends their deepest gratitude to you and the thousands of donors and scores of volunteers that made this campaign to develop the Georgia Sea Turtle Center such a tremendous success. We look forward to many more successful ventures in the years ahead and to partnering with you to accomplish our mission of influencing conservation, preservation, and education initiatives on Jekyll Island in a manner that provides a sustainable economic impact.
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