Going Home celebrates sea turtle conservation in coastal communities through telling the origin story of two sea turtle hospitals founded by women. The result is a documentary film that focuses on these citizen-conservationists and showcases the daily work that goes into caring for sick and injured sea turtles in the hospital, and on the beach. This film follows the care that includes the innovative and new medical therapies and technologies, which result in the turtles’ highly anticipated return to the ocean. It highlights the ordinary people who are doing extraordinary work for sea turtle survival. This film garners attention for these turtle hospitals to continue their conservation efforts, and encourages other beach communities to develop turtle protection programs. From learning how to distance ourselves from single-use plastics that contribute to why sea turtles end up in hospitals, to turning off intrusive beach-facing lights that lead hatchlings astray, everyday citizens can become more sea turtle friendly.
BACKGROUND
I first met Jean Beasley in 2007. I was 16 at the time, and had convinced my family to vacation on Topsail Island, North Carolina. Topsail was my chosen destination, because my second wildlife documentary film in my young career was going to be about sea turtles.
I first met Jean Beasley in 2007. I was 16 at the time, and had convinced my family to vacation on Topsail Island, North Carolina. Topsail was my chosen destination, because my second wildlife documentary film in my young career was going to be about sea turtles.
After that visit, my friendship with Jean Beasley has propelled my life in a direction to pursue environmental educational wildlife films. Mostly because of her, I would join that cast of Aqua Kids as co-host and videographer for their 7th - 9th seasons. The footage from my visit in 2007 and 2008 would be edited into a short film called Topsail Turtles, which went on to win third place for my first ever film festival submission. Topsail Turtles would be used again, in 2017 by The Dodo, for a video about sea turtle releases. As a part of Aqua Kids’ ninth season, Jean revealed I would be completing a 7 year-long dream of mine; to release a sea turtle back into the wild.
THE HOSPITALS
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The Loggerhead Marinelife Center evolved from an educational program, first started by Eleanor Fletcher, to teach children about the sea turtles on Juno Beach in Florida. Mrs. Fletcher began informing people about the impact that beach development and light pollution were having on sea turtles on Juno Beach, Florida.
From her original vision, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center was born. It now acts as a sea turtle hospital, education, and outreach center about sea turtles up and down Florida’s coastline. The center continues Mrs. Fletcher’s legacy of education and conservation decades later as the hospital is an epicenter for environmental education in the community.
Several species of sea turtles receive care at the LMC including: Leatherback, Green, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, and the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. From day-old hatchlings to full grown adults, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center cares for these turtles’ needs, from rescue to release back into the wild.
I will be filming at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center to; document the expert medical care these turtle receive, understand the vision the center has for helping turtles into the future, and how the community is strengthened through the sea turtle programs. Juno Beach is an extremely important nesting beach, visited by several thousand turtles each year. I will bring this spectacle to you, as I film the nest building by a female sea turtle on Juno Beach. I will also be visiting Juno when the hatchlings make their venture into the wide ocean. I plan to film the wayward hatchlings that were brought to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, and film as volunteers escort them on their heartwarming journey, back out to sea.
From her original vision, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center was born. It now acts as a sea turtle hospital, education, and outreach center about sea turtles up and down Florida’s coastline. The center continues Mrs. Fletcher’s legacy of education and conservation decades later as the hospital is an epicenter for environmental education in the community.
Several species of sea turtles receive care at the LMC including: Leatherback, Green, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, and the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. From day-old hatchlings to full grown adults, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center cares for these turtles’ needs, from rescue to release back into the wild.
I will be filming at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center to; document the expert medical care these turtle receive, understand the vision the center has for helping turtles into the future, and how the community is strengthened through the sea turtle programs. Juno Beach is an extremely important nesting beach, visited by several thousand turtles each year. I will bring this spectacle to you, as I film the nest building by a female sea turtle on Juno Beach. I will also be visiting Juno when the hatchlings make their venture into the wide ocean. I plan to film the wayward hatchlings that were brought to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, and film as volunteers escort them on their heartwarming journey, back out to sea.
The unusual origin story of this turtle hospital is born out of love and tragedy. Karen loved the sea turtles that came to nest on their island, and recognized the island needed programs to help the turtles. After her untimely death, Karen’s mother; Jean, founded the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Now in it’s 20th year of conservation work to improve the survival of sea turtles on North Carolina’s coasts and beyond.
At any given time 20 or more turtles of all sizes and ailments can be found at the hospital’s new facility. The turtle’s injuries can range from a hypothermic state called “cold stun,” to a more serious injury of missing limbs or broken shell. The dedicated staff and volunteers do daily cleaning, feeding, and medical procedures on the turtles here. Even gently singing to the turtles as they receive their medical care, trying to find any way to improve the quality of life for these turtles. It is all worth it when the center can rehabilitate a sea turtle to the point of release back into the wild.
I will be visiting Topsail Island and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. There, I will be filming the daily routine and medical care the turtles receive. I will be interviewing Jean Beasley about how the hospital first got started, and how it could not have been possible without the community rallying around her. I will also be filming a big release of sea turtles from the hospital, back into the wild. And I will be highlighting what every beach going citizen can do to help ensure sea turtle survival, as we share this planet together.
At any given time 20 or more turtles of all sizes and ailments can be found at the hospital’s new facility. The turtle’s injuries can range from a hypothermic state called “cold stun,” to a more serious injury of missing limbs or broken shell. The dedicated staff and volunteers do daily cleaning, feeding, and medical procedures on the turtles here. Even gently singing to the turtles as they receive their medical care, trying to find any way to improve the quality of life for these turtles. It is all worth it when the center can rehabilitate a sea turtle to the point of release back into the wild.
I will be visiting Topsail Island and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. There, I will be filming the daily routine and medical care the turtles receive. I will be interviewing Jean Beasley about how the hospital first got started, and how it could not have been possible without the community rallying around her. I will also be filming a big release of sea turtles from the hospital, back into the wild. And I will be highlighting what every beach going citizen can do to help ensure sea turtle survival, as we share this planet together.
2017 - The beach was crowded with over two hundred people, despite the morning rain showers. The drizzle ceased only long enough for the release. I stood in the crowd this time, and joined toddlers and old timers alike, as the turtles were paraded down the sand. The big loggerheads gave enthusiastic slaps to the bare skin of their handlers, as soon as they smelled the salty ocean spray. “Can you believe it has been ten years?” I thought to myself, as I watched the last turtle slip into the waves.
SPONSORS & CONTRIBUTORS
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Executive Producer:
Clark DeHart Associate Producers: Special Contributors: |
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