Become a member of the 2015 Sea Turtle Emergency Response Program (STERP) team. When specific weather events occur in the fall, STERP volunteers walk the beach to search in the seaweed piles for trapped post hatchlings (washbacks), in order to find and rescue them. The volunteers then transport the washbacks to designated drop-off locations. These volunteers also educate the beach-going public on sea turtle's “do's and don'ts”, using Sea Turtle Education Cards.

Volunteers may assist with transporting sea turtles to rehab facilities at Brevard Zoo, Sea World, Ponce Inlet, Mote and other locations. STERP volunteers may also participate in major events such as cold stuns and educational projects.

“This is a great opportunity to involve the entire family,” says STERP Coordinator Dave Cheney.

STERP training will be conducted on June 9 from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cocoa Beach Library and on June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Satellite Beach Library. Training for this program needs to be completed annually. Turtle 101 (or Turtle Talk) is a pre-requisite and a one-time requirement. It can be completed on the same day and location as the STERP trainings from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Register on-line at SeaTurtleSpaceCoast.org/Get-Involved/Sterp and select the date on right hand side of screen. Volunteers are also members of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. To become a member visit SeaTurtleSpaceCoast.org/Get-Involved/Become-a-Member. For more information, call 321-676-1701.