Sea turtle volunteers still needed

Sydney Lindblad has invited Historic City News readers to apply as volunteers for the 2011 Sea Turtle Washback Program aimed at rescuing juvenile sea turtles that are washed onto the beach in seaweed, usually following a storm.

The washback sea turtles are exhausted and in need of medical attention. Volunteers are needed to survey the wrack lines for washback juvenile sea turtles and help with transportation to a rehabilitation facility.

Washback season runs from July 1 through November 31. Because wrack lines may form at any time, the volunteer program is an on-call basis. Volunteers will be contacted when a wrack line has formed and are asked to complete a survey as soon as possible.

Volunteer Requirements:
Volunteers must complete an application, pass a background check, possess a valid Florida driver’s license and attend a mandatory Orientation and Site Specific Training. Children under 18 may volunteer if they are accompanied by an adult and meet these requirements (except driver’s license). Students may use the volunteer hours for school credit.

Mandatory Trainings:
Volunteers are required to attend one Orientation Session, as well as the Site Specific Training. The Orientation provides basic information regarding sea turtles and the purpose of the volunteer program. The Site Specific Training will provide more details on the volunteer’s role, the assigned zone, introduction of zone caption and further training.

Orientation dates still available:

July 16th 10:00am-12:30pm Anastasia Island Branch Library

July 23rd 10:00am-12:30pm Anastasia Island Branch Library

Site Specific Training (required for all volunteers):

August 11th 6:00pm-7:30pm County Administration Auditorium, St. Augustine

Application and Registration:
Volunteers must register online by visiting www.sjcfl.us/HCP. Register now for one of the Orientations; after you have completed that step, you will be able to register for the Site Specific Training. Volunteers also must complete and submit an application, which is available on the website. If a volunteer is interested in becoming a Zone Captain, please indicate this on your application.

For more information call Sydney Lindblad at (904) 209-0452.