Next
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island, Georgia

By Bill Irwin, Ph.D., Director

The world’s first facility specifically designed and built for sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education is about to open right here on Jekyll Island, GA! This state-of-the art facility has been the “buzz” among many scientists, veterinarians, and conservation workers around the world for several years and its doors are set to open on June 16, 2007. Our staff is already caring for three patients and we anticipate a busy summer. We are very excited that visitors to the Center will be able to watch veterinary care of turtles as it happens, learn about the life history of sea turtles and find out what each individual can do to help protect the marine environment that we all share.

The Center will feature interactive exhibits for all ages, a viewing window and cameras allowing full view of the treatment, surgical and X-ray areas (along with cameras connected to microscopes and other equipment so that everyone gets to see what the veterinary staff sees), and an elevated platform from which visitors can see and learn about the turtles in their life support systems in the rehabilitation area! Of course, everyone will also be able to find something special in our gift shop to take home along with their photographs and memories as a reminder of their visit!

Our dedicated full-time, part-time and volunteer staff is pleased to invite you to this truly amazing facility. You can find us in the National Landmark Historic District at 214 Stable Road (in the old power plant building). We hope that you will enjoy your visit and will join us in learning more about and saving these magnificent animals!
READ MORE ON PAGE 4   >  
Turtle Walks on Jekyll Island

Nightly Turtle Walks- June -August, nightly at 8:30 and 9:30pm An opportunity to encounter a nesting female loggerhead sea turtle is one of many highlights during a slow to moderately paced interpretive night walk. On Jekyll Island’s nesting beaches, a trained guide will lead an education program focusing on the life cycle of loggerhead sea turtles and conservation efforts. The Glynn County beach lighting ordinance does not allow flash photography on the beach during nesting season.

Hatchling Walks- mid July-September, mornings
On an early morning guided beach walk, participants attend a nest excavation with a sea turtle intern and record data to determine the success of the nest. Hatchling walks will provide an opportunity to encounter newly hatched loggerheads and be a part of hands-on sea turtle conservation efforts. Walk times will be scheduled according to the morning tides.

Advance reservations are required and must be confirmed by a Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff member. At the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, tickets may be purchased in person on a first come, first served basis (cash or credit). Walk fees do not include the $3 Jekyll Island parking fee.
Reservation line:
(912) 635-4444
Walk fee: $10 Adults
$5 Children ages 4-12
For more information about Georgia Sea Turtle Center education programs visit our web site at www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
SPOTLIGHT: UPCOMING EVENTS (click here to visit the event page on www.jekyllisland.com)

June 3 JIAA Artists’ Reception, Goodyear Cottage
Potter, Doug Jones and painter, Sarah Dowling are featured in June’s exhibit from May 25-June 28. Reception June 3rd, 1-3pm. Gallery and shop are open Mon - Fri 12-4pm & weekends 10-4pm. Admission is free.

June 16 Grand Opening of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Dedicated to the rehabilitation of ill and injured sea turtles in Georgia, the center will house educational exhibits, surgical and rehabilitation areas, an information center, and gift shop. www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

June 16-17 Jekyll Island Foundation Family Weekend
Private weekend fund-raising event featuring the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Grand Opening! Sponsorships: Corporate, Family & Individual Levels. 912-635-4402. jekyllslandfoundation.org/familyweekend.

June 24 Sunday Dinner Dance 6:00 p.m.
Dance the night away in the Grand Dining Room of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel the last Sunday of each month. An evening of gourmet dining and dancing to the music of Wayne Tate’s “Four and Easy” dance band. Reservations required. 635-2600.

July 1st & 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Celebrate our nation’s Independence with fireworks at Summer Waves Water Park on the 1st and on the 4th overlooking the ocean with DJ entertainment.

July 30 Franklin Pond Chamber Music Faculty String Quartet Sponsored by the Jekyll Island Historic District and The Jekyll Island Arts Association at Mistletoe Cottage. 7pm. Tickets are $10 at the door with proceeds to go to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. For more information or reservations call 635-4036.

August 10-11 Beach Music Festival
Come enjoy the Swinging Medallions, The Sounds of Motown, Hack Bartley and Second Chance on Jekyll Island’s beach. Visit www.jekyllisland.com for more information.

September 1-3 Gold Cup Soccer Tournament
Brought to you by the Georgia Amateur Soccer Association and the Jekyll Island Authority, the Gold Cup will feature participants in the Open, Competitive, Recreational and Veterans (Over-35) divisions in Women’s, Men’s and Coed groups. gacups.com

September 14-16 Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival on Jekyll Island celebrates the sweet harvest annually in September. In addition to piles of fresh, local shrimp dishes and cooking demonstrations, this celebration of harvest time includes the best Georgia home-grown music and art. 877-4-JEKYLL. Contact Beth Burnsed at 635-4190 to enter cooking contest!

October 12-14 Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding & Nature Festival provides opportunities for everyone from the casual nature enthusiast to the most experienced birder. Field trips to over twenty different natural areas and informative seminars are the cornerstones of the festival. www.coastalgeorgiabirding.org

November 24 - January 1 Holiday Island
Jekyll Island is transformed into Holiday Island with month long festivities. The season is kicked-off by The Christmas Tree Lighting Festival the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Other activities include Bingo with Santa, Storytelling, Tours, etc.

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel Presents: Club Juniors - A Summer of Fun
June 1 through Aug. 10

Club Juniors, the hotel’s day camp for children, is fun-filled days of sports, activities and mini-field trips for those ages 5-12. Mon. - Sat., the day begins with 8:30 a.m. sign-up for the half day or the whole day June 1 - Aug. 10. Bicycle safaris, mini-golf, Summer Waves Water Park and lawn sports, beach exploring, crafts, Tae Kwon Do and dolphin cruises are some of the events planned. All events are at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Reservations are required. 635-2600. Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m., children enjoy “That’s Entertainment,” a series of special performances and activities. Parents are welcome, too.

June 1 Make a Violin, Make Music, 10:00 a.m.
Chip Ward, musician and violin maker, brings his tools and materials to show children how a violin comes together, and he even asks their help.

June 8 Cliff Patton and His Puppet Friends 10 a.m.
Master ventriloquist Cliff Patton takes children on a “world trip” with puppets and comedy, magic and balloons.

June 15 Snakes, Raptors, & Crawly Things 10 a.m.
A specialist from the Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University arrives Friday morning with various kinds of wildlife for young folks to experience.

June 22 An Adventure with the Curious Curator 10:00 a.m.
Meet the Curious Curator, Gretchen Greminger!
She’s curious about everything having to do with “old,” really old, findings on Jekyll Island. Willing to share her know-how and special methods, Gretchen takes children on a discovery of some of Jekyll Island’s secrets of the past.

June 29 Cooking for Kids 10:00 a.m.
If you’re five to twelve years old, and you just can’t stay out of the kitchen, Cooking for Kids is for you! Our chef has some tricks under his tall white cap for showing you how to take charge preparing your own lunch. Yum!