Good Neighbor Stories

Saving Sea Turtles

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0500

Did you know a sea turtle can live to be 80 years old? That’s roughly the same as the average American lifespan.

That is where the similarities end. Each year thousands of hatchling turtles emerge from their nests along the southeast U.S. Atlantic coast. But only a small percentage survive to adulthood. Most sea turtles found in U.S. waters are listed as endangered.

Casey Sokolovic learned this unfortunate fact during a visit to a sea turtle hospital when she was just eight years old. Casey, now a 20 year old college junior, has made it her life’s work to protect sea turtles from coast to coast.

“That visit to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital ignited a passion in me. I knew I had the power to make a difference,” Casey shared. The young woman is the founder of Love A Sea Turtle (L.A.S.T.), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the world’s sea turtle population

She started off small. Baking and selling turtle-shaped cookies to raise money for the hospital. As she got older, her ideas and outreach blossomed to awareness-raising t-shirts and social media campaigns, and on to an annual 5/10k run.

Her efforts even inspired a coffee drink. Visit Joe Van Gogh Coffee and try the Organic Sea Turtle Blend Coffee. Buy a bag of beans and 50 cents go to the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Casey always looks for new ways to raise awareness of the sea turtle’s plight. As a Boys & Girls Club volunteer, she discovered many of the members had never been to the beach or been kayaking or snorkeling. She also realized many of these kids did not enjoy core school subjects such as Science and Math.

Casey knew L.A.S.T. could help. Working with her local community, she brought the Upstream Downstream Connection summer camp program to life. The camp gives students from local Boys & Girls Clubs the opportunity to trace freshwater sources to the coast, discovering the connections and conducting service-learning projects along the way.

With State Farm financial support, she executed a school-based program in North Carolina. The program equips teachers and classrooms in multiple school systems to create a statewide stream monitoring and environmental awareness program, engaging students on four river basins.

Throughout the year, L.A.S.T. keeps students engaged through service learning opportunities such as MLK Day of Service and Earth Day. Casey also speaks across the US about the plight of sea turtles and inspires others to get involved.

Casey began L.A.S.T. with the intent to protect sea turtles, but her dedication and enthusiasm has grown the organization to reach thousands of students. Casey describes the progress of L.A.S.T., to the “slow and steady” growth of a sea turtle.

Casey’s advice for students (and anyone of any age, really) is to “find your passion, pursue it, and be the difference.”

Want to find volunteer opportunities near you? Visit Neighborhood of Good and make a positive difference in your neighborhood.

You might also like:

An Unforgettable Fish!

Thu, 25 May 2017 09:22:00 -0500

It’s a memorable day for 11-year-old Gabriel Brown. For the first time in his life, he’s going fishing. “I’m learning lots of neat things about the water!” He grinned. “I even learned one full grown oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day!”

Gabriel is one of many children setting sail on the Atlantic coast to fish, learn and explore. Not even the Florida sun can compete with the bright smiles on their faces.

"We want to help students reduce their fear and anxiety in respect to activities near the water,” said State Farm Agent Stan Harrison. “And we want them to have fun.”

The chance to sail out of the classroom and into the ocean is part of a program called Academic Anglers. The not-for-profit organization located in Melbourne, Fla., provides hands on boating and fishing experiences to children. An experienced fisherman, Harrison has volunteered with Academic Anglers since 2008. He’s led countless fishing clinics - sharing his passion for marine life and water safety with students.

“It’s a joy to watch them learn,” he said. “Through fishing and boating courses, children are exposed to new ways of thinking and gain more respect for the environment.”

Fish Facts and Ocean Fun

The Saturday class begins at the Marine Discovery Center. There, students learn about aquatic life – including how fish, plants and animals thrive in the water. “Did you know horseshoe crabs have eight legs AND they can flip themselves over with their tails?” Malik Harley beamed. “I also learned an octopus has three hearts and nine brains!”

Later that day, a member of the Coast Guard showed the class how to use professional flotation devices to stay safe in the water. Students also learned how to identify marine life, tie fishing knots using a large hook and rope, and cast a line.

“We want to expand their horizons and attract more children to the outdoor world,” said Academic Anglers Fishing Team President Charlie Roberts. “Seeing students gaining valuable experience outdoors - away from TV, computers and gaming systems is really rewarding.”

Making a Splash

That afternoon, students cast their lines in the water…steered the boat…and the best part? They caught lots of fish – including sea bass, sea grunt and red snapper which can weigh up to 50 pounds and live more than 50 years. The students also learned the importance of catch and release.

“I really enjoyed the fishing clinic with my twin girls, Jade and Jada,” said mother Patrice Smith. “We learned about different types of crabs, stingrays, turtles – and I am so grateful we now know how to fish!”

State Farm is a proud partner of Academic Anglers and its commitment to environmental education. Through the years, the fishing clinics have helped at-risk students stay out of trouble, excel in school and give back to their communities. Many of its first participants are now college graduates.

“There’s a sea of possibilities out there,” said Stan. “Success starts by branching out – or in this case, making that first cast.”