February 21, 2015. 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

NOAA Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary Ballroom, 4700 Ave. U, Bldg. 216, Galveston 77551

Details to be announced winter of 2014.

As the 2015 Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nesting season approaches, you’ll want to make plans to attend this event presented by Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC) to learn about and celebrate the sea turtle. You will also find out how you can become involved in helping preserve this extremely endangered species.

The morning will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed by presentations at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Ballroom, 4700 Ave. U, Building 216 in Galveston.

We are excited to announce that Sea Turtle Saturday for Kids will be back again for next year’s event.

After parents and kids enjoy breakfast together, kids age 8-13 will have fun learning about sea turtle anatomy, what they eat, where they live, how they lay their eggs, and the hazards of growing up in the ocean. Concepts will be taught through hands-on crafts and activities led by GINTC adult volunteers.

Once again, we’ll have a full slate of interesting presentations ranging from the public’s role in helping with stranded and nesting turtles to research efforts to develop turtle-friendly fishing gear.

Following the presentations, the kids will join the adults for a tour of the NOAA Fisheries Service sea turtle facility where more than 350 turtles are housed in saltwater tanks.

“Much can be learned about the condition of the planet’s environment by looking at sea turtles. They have existed for over 100 million years and they travel throughout the world’s oceans. Suddenly, they are struggling to survive – largely because of things people are doing to our oceans and beaches. The Kemps ridley is the official sea turtle of Texas. Help it and the other four species that frequent the Gulf have a better chance. Be informed, be proactive. You can truly make a difference. Learn how at Sea Turtle Saturday,” says Susan Lewis, GINTC member and long-time turtle barn volunteer with NOAA.