Volunteer Spotlight, Jayne and Pat Nasrallah
Volunteer Spotlight, Jayne and Pat Nasrallah
Fort Clinch State Park
When the alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Jayne and Pat Nasrallah always question their decision to volunteer for Turtle Patrol at Fort Clinch State Park. Why would any working person want to get out of bed at that hour on a Saturday? But when they emerge from the trail onto the beach with Cumberland Sound and the rising sun in front of them, they know they wouldn’t miss it for the world.
As they take the four-wheel drive vehicle onto the sand, they focus their attention on looking for the tracks of nesting sea turtles. When they are lucky enough to find tracks, Jayne and Pat identify the species, mark the nest for future surveillance, and record the data for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Compiling this data contributes to the conservation of turtle populations both locally and internationally, making the Turtle Patrol's work as important as it is fun.
When hatching time arrives, Jayne and Pat inventory the empty nests. They are thrilled to sometimes discover a live baby loggerhead. Setting the little one on its way to its ocean home is a privilege.
Volunteering for Turtle Patrol at Fort Clinch is a task for which Jayne and Pat receive yearly training and for which they must be permitted by the FWC. If you see them on the beach, give a wave and they will happily share whatever the turtle news of the day is with you!