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The National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation recently funded renovations in the FAU Research Laboratory at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.  Sea turtle research being done at the laboratory includes studies of fundamental importance to sea turtle conservation including sex-ratio of hatchlings, hatchling migration, growth, as well as several aspects of sea turtle behavior including the effects of artificial lights on sea turtles.

The renovations included new equipment, tanks, lighting and supplies. The laboratory, which also has a Visitors’ Viewing Gallery, is one of Gumbo Limbo’s major attractions – over 100,000 people pass through annually 

“We appreciate the on-going support we receive from the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation,” said Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., professor within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s department of biological sciences. “The Foundation funded a major renovation to the Visitors’ Viewing Gallery last year and now they’ve updated and upgraded our laboratory equipment. We couldn’t do this work without their support.”

In addition to funding the Gallery and lab ‘makeover,’ the Foundation provides annual scholarships for students who are passionate about helping sea turtles.

"I was fortunate to receive the National Save the Sea Turtle Scholarship to help fund my research project. I am currently investigating the effects of a toxin released during Florida red tide events and how it affects endangered sea turtles,” said Ph.D. candidate Courtney Cocilova. “This scholarship has helped me purchase necessary laboratory supplies to perform experiments aimed at designing treatment strategies to speed up the recovery of sick marine animals affected by red tides."

“The National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation works to preserve the environment, educate children, keep our programs in the public eye and sponsor and fund projects of those organizations with the same goals,” said Frank Wojcik, director of the National Save the Turtle Foundation. “The FAU team of researchers is a prime example of scientists who devote endless hours to the uphill battle of preserving our fragile ecosystem.”