Page 11 - Hobe Sound Reflections - September '22

Hobe Sound, Page 11

loGGerhead News

Loggerhead Marinelife Center desk, and offers multilingual programming in American Sign

Focuses On Diverse And Language (ASL), Spanish, and German on request.

“The availability of beach-capable wheelchairs is a great
Inclusive Programming example of how LMC provides what we call ‘Oceans of
Opportunity.’ They provide the opportunity for members
The mission of of our community to comfortably and safely access ocean
Loggerhead Marinelife Center education – a right to learn that everyone should have. The
(LMC) is to promote ocean generous donation from Clinics Can Help has helped us
and sea turtle conservation increase our impact, for which we are incredibly grateful,”
– and that effort requires all said Hannah Campbell, vice president of the education
hands on deck, regardless division at LMC. She added that other supporters of the
of ability or background. To initiative include the Association of Science and Technology
connect underserved and Centers, the Edward T. Bedford Foundation, REI Co-op, and
underrepresented groups Starbucks, among others.
to ocean conservation and In June, visitors used the newly added beach wheelchair
appreciation, LMC has on a Turtle Walk. “[LMC] allowed me to have an experience American Sign Language tours at LMC
launched the far-reaching I will treasure as one of the most wonderful events in my
Oceans of Opportunity life,” shared Elizabeth Merkling, who, after a car accident 2022 in partnership with the Hispanic Access Foundation.
initiative with the help of Sensory backpacks at LMC in her 20s, has used a wheelchair ever since. LMC’s multilingual programming also includes educational
several local organizations. “She hasn’t been able to go onto the beach in a very long programs in German with the help of a longtime, German-
In collaboration with Clinics Can Help, a nonprofit that time, even though she loves the ocean,” explained Diane speaking volunteer, Britta Steinhorn.
serves people with disabilities, LMC recently acquired a Perry, a close friend who joined Elizabeth on the Turtle Walk LMC is taking steps to become a sensory inclusive certified
second beach wheelchair for use in the Turtle Walk, Hatchling experience. “Some facilities promote accessibility, but the organization. The center currently has sensory backpacks
Release, and Sunrise Nest Excavation programs. The center also person still is not able to do everything. The Turtle Walk available for use, which include headphones, sunglasses,
has sensory backpacks available for checkout at the welcome experience was completely immersive for her, and she said gloves, fidget spinners, and communication boards.
it was one of the best nights of her life.” Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s recently renovated and
In July, LMC hosted the Family Center on Deafness for expanded facility offers one of the most advanced and unique
a Turtle Walk, which was led by Jennifer Reilly, research experiences in ocean education and conservation. The center
operations manager at LMC, and a full-time staff biologist is open daily and hosts more than 350,000 guests free of
who is deaf and fluent in American Sign Language. There charge each year. Through Oceans of Opportunity, LMC is
are currently very few environmental education experiences reaching a more diverse array of guests than ever before.
offered in ASL, and Reilly has been a pioneer in interpreting About Loggerhead Marinelife Center
coastal classroom videos, offering tours in ASL, and leading Loggerhead Marinelife Center, located in Loggerhead
virtual presentations. “I want to help guests who are deaf Park, Juno Beach, Florida, is a sea turtle research,
or hard of hearing to participate in tours of our Sea Turtle rehabilitation, education, and conservation center. The
Hospital, or to fully experience our Turtle Walks and observe center also manages the Juno Beach Pier across the street
a sea turtle laying her eggs during nesting season,” Reilly from the park. Established in 1983, Loggerhead Marinelife
explained. “Our efforts are expanded enormously when we Center seeks to promote conservation of ocean ecosystems
can include everyone, no matter the background or barrier.” with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea
LMC conducts guided tours and provides community and turtles. Its facilities include a sea turtle hospital, a research
school programming in Spanish. The center recently led a laboratory, and exhibit areas, including live sea turtles and
Clinics Can Help beach wheelchair donation to LMC Turtle Walk in Spanish as part of Latino Conservation Week other coastal creatures.

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