About Loggerhead Marinelife Center:
Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a non-profit sea turtle hospital that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The center features an on-site campus hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, a pier that hosts world-class fishing and sightseeing. Exhibits include a massive prehistoric Archelon sea turtle replica, salt water aquaria and displays of local wildlife, as well as educational displays about South Florida’s marine environment. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 300,000 visitors each year.
Our Mission:
To promote conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.
Our Vision:
To be recognized locally and internationally as the leading authority in sea turtle education, research, and rehabilitation.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center History:
Over 30 years ago, long-time Juno Beach resident Eleanor Fletcher started what is now Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Eleanor and her husband Robert had a real estate business in Juno Beach. Eleanor began to notice the abundance of sea turtles nesting on our shore in spring and summer. She was curious about why so many hatchlings headed landward after hatching, rather than back to sea, and as a result, began some of the earliest research on sea turtles in our area. Juno Beach is now recognized as one of the most active nesting beaches in the world! Eleanor became known as “The Turtle Lady” throughout the area.
As Eleanor Fletcher learned more and more about the sea turtles, she began to see that the turtles were threatened by the encroachment of man as he moved and built closer and closer to the shoreline. She decided that educating children about the sea turtles and the need for conservation and protection was the best hope for the sea turtles to survive over the long term. She began giving classes, first in her home, then above the real estate office as more and more children enjoyed her programs.
In 1983 the Children’s Museum of Juno Beach was incorporated, moving into what had been an old home in Loggerhead Park, thanks to the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Reflecting an expanded mission, the name was changed to The Marinelife Center of Juno Beach in 1990.
The center now hosts thousands of school children each year through field trips, outreach programs, summer camp and other educational experiences. In addition, more than 200,000 visitors come to the center each year to see the exhibits and the sea turtle hospital – the only sea turtle hospital between Orlando and the Florida Keys!
In April 2007, the organization relocated to a new 12,000 square foot certified “green” facility and changed its name to Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The new facility includes a state-of-the-art full service veterinary hospital, exhibit hall, outdoor classroom, research lab, and resource center. A visit is not complete without a stop in the marine-themed gift store, featuring an excellent selection of children’s educational books and unique gift and craft items. Park amenities include a guarded beach, nature trail, playground and picnic pavilions.
If you have questions or comments, please call us at: 561-627-8280, or via email: info@marinelife.org. Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s 24 Hour Sea Turtle Rescue Line at: (561) 603-0211.
If you ever happen to come in contact with an injured or stranded sea turtle please call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) immediately at: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or you may dial *FWC or #FWC on your mobile phone.
Correspondence should be addressed to:
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
14200 U.S. Highway 1
Juno Beach, FL 33408
HATCHLING PROTOCOL
If beach goers encounter sea turtle eggs that were washed out, they are encouraged to leave them in place on the beach. Once an egg is washed out of the nest it is not viable.
If beach goers encounter a stranded sea turtle hatchling (baby) they are asked to put it into a bucket/container with damp sand – no water – and bring them to the 24-hour hatchling drop off container at the front entrance of Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida.
