The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center is partnering with Destin-Fort Walton Beach to bring awareness to sea turtles and our nesting beaches.

• The C.A.R.E. Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that acts as a beacon of coastal conservation through marine rehabilitation and rescue.

With this new monthly event, attendees will be able to visit the C.A.R.E. Center after-hours and get a behind-the-scenes look into the operations of the rehabilitation center, meet their current patients, and learn how to perform a mock in-take of an injured turtle. 

“We really wanted to promote sea turtle conservation efforts, and teach our locals and our visitors about sea turtles and what they can do here on their nesting beaches,” said Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator for Okaloosa County.

• “We thought that this was a really good time to join with the Gulfarium and combine our efforts to educate the public more about our local sea turtles.”

“We’re going to take 10-15 guests through the rehabilitation center for a behind the scenes look,” said Tabitha Siegfried, Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator. “We will then take them through a mock intake of what it looks like when a sea turtle comes in once they’ve been injured, and finally, we’ll take our guests to see a staged sea turtle nest here on property.”

The first “C.A.R.E.ing For Turtles” event is happening on January 26th. Admission is $10, but all of the proceeds from these events goes to the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center.

To register for your spot, click here.