Junior Turtle Volunteer

This week we are meeting Riley, one of our junior volunteers at the aquarium. Volunteers can start when they enter high school. Learn more about our volunteer program here.

Riley working at the touch tank

How old are you?

I am 12 years old.

How long have you been visiting the aquarium?

I have visited on vacation since 2007. After moving here from Ohio in 2010, I attended one year of camp and visited the aquarium frequently. Now I volunteer. 

Riley with summer camp

What is your favorite part of being at the aquarium?

I like talking to all the people and meeting some my age who love marine biology as much as I do. I also like the animals.

Riley meeting a Diamondback Terrapin

What do you love about sea turtles?

I like that they can come in a variety of colors and designs. I also like their bravery when they just hatch to go out into the ocean and face the big wide world.

Green sea turtle hatching from an egg

What do you think kids your age should know about sea turtles?

I would like them to know it has come to my attention Leatherbacks are on the threatened species list. It is important to protect these creatures. Please let others know so we can protect sea turtles in general. All species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered. Also, last year’s turtle nest numbers were down a lot so we have to work hard to protect the ones we get.

What do you think kids your age can do to help protect sea turtles? Why should they protect them?

The number one thing you can do is not litter. Try to organize beach sweeps if you can. But picking up trash can be as simple as doing it while you are on the beach or walking your dog. Pick it up as you see it. Though it may not seem like a big difference, you are actually helping a lot. There are many people in the world that just flat out don’t care, don’t be one of them. Try to protect these wonderful creatures because they are the only ones that will ever exist in the world. Read why it is important to keep trash off our beaches here, here and here. You can learn more about Riley and her work at the Aquarium here.

Riley meeting a salamander in camp

Our hatchlings continue to grow. Turtle A is 1028 grams and 19.5 centimeters long. Turtle B is 1157 grams and 19.9 centimeters long. If you are unsure of what to do with these numbers, please visit our lesson plan Hatchling to Yearling. Join us next week for our final post of the school year!