Save-A-Turtle Officers
All of our Board Members and Officers are Volunteers Vice President seat is currently vacant.
Harry Appel, PresidentHarry has been involved with Save-A-Turtle well over 15 years, starting first as a beach walker, then becoming far more involved serving on the Board, volunteering for events, dedicating countless hours towards fundraising, education, site visits (for residents, businesses and local government) to help with issues regarding sea turtles and sea turtle habitat. He’s spent many years building connections with officials and throughout the state regarding issues of illegal lighting, illegal shoreline hardening, best practices for beach and sand replenishment, best practices for development, and other related issues to help assist with proper guidance on these matters.
Harry is very passionate about sea turtles as well as all other sea life and animal life, and is tenacious in his efforts to assist our Florida Keys move forward to help sea turtles as much as possible. Harry has just been elected as President for another year, and will continue to lead this organization in a positive direction. |
Vivian Beck, TreasurerI am a RN, BSN, HCS-D, COS-C; I am blessed to be able to work remotely from home here in the Fabulous Florida Keys! I have been a Registered Nurse for 23 years. I have been an animal lover all of my life; I can't imagine my life without an animal.
Turtles have always been my kindred spirit animal; perhaps that is why I am a nurse; the turtle represents the protector; that is in my DNA. The ocean is where I draw my strength and peace; I am her protector and those that inhabit it. In North Carolina I volunteered with the sea turtle rescue on Sunset Beach, NC. In 2012 when the pod of pilot whales beached on Cudjoe Key, I was called to action. I was living in NC at the time so took time off from job. I packed up with my husband Randy Beck and headed south to assist. My knowledge was there but when I stood at night under the midnight sky, holding that pilot whale up so she could breathe there came an awakening in my soul of what man has done to our mother ocean and her creatures. I decided then there to do more. I see Save-A-Turtle as one making a difference. I am so happy to be a small part of it. I gladly serve as the treasurer and a seasoned turtle beach patroller. I am also President of The Key Deer Protection Alliance. |
Kelley Porter, SecretaryI was born in Toledo, Ohio and was raised in Michigan. I married my husband in 2011, and Irma made land fall on our 6th wedding anniversary! We moved to the Keys in 2015 after multiple vacations down here together. My grand parents moved to the keys in the 90's and I would come to visit often as I was growing up.
My grandmother was a beach walker with Save A Turtle and her stories about the ocean has always been my inspiration. I am so excited that I am able to be here, in paradise. My husband and I are foster parents in Monroe County and in 2016 we were blessed to have the opportunity to adopt our two wonderful children. They are 15 & 16 years old and full of energy! I joined Save A Turtle in 2018 and am honored that I am able to be part of the board. I completed the training for Beach Surveying as well as Stranded and Salvage. |
Save-A-Turtle Board Members
TAMMIE ANDERSON
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and studied animal behavior at The Ohio State University. While volunteering at the Chimpanzee Center for Comparative Cognitive Research at OSU, I was granted the honor of helping to raise two baby chimps, Harper & Emma. In total I worked with chimpanzees for over 10 years. I was awarded a Dolphin Research internship at Epcot’s Living Seas aquarium, and later worked as a Research Staff Member at the Dolphin Research Center. I am currently an Educator at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. I also volunteer as a beach walker for the Save a Turtle Organization during nesting season, and as a mentor for a high school student in the Take Stock in Children program. I live on Big Pine Key with my American Bulldog/Pitbull mix, Milo, and Milo’s pet cat, Thomas.
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and studied animal behavior at The Ohio State University. While volunteering at the Chimpanzee Center for Comparative Cognitive Research at OSU, I was granted the honor of helping to raise two baby chimps, Harper & Emma. In total I worked with chimpanzees for over 10 years. I was awarded a Dolphin Research internship at Epcot’s Living Seas aquarium, and later worked as a Research Staff Member at the Dolphin Research Center. I am currently an Educator at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. I also volunteer as a beach walker for the Save a Turtle Organization during nesting season, and as a mentor for a high school student in the Take Stock in Children program. I live on Big Pine Key with my American Bulldog/Pitbull mix, Milo, and Milo’s pet cat, Thomas.
RANDY BECK
I am a retired Building Inspector and a Dive Master who has a deep desire to help and rescue all animals. All of our critters deserve our help and love, this includes our coral reefs.
As well as a board member for Save A Turtle, I volunteer with different organizations to clean our oceans, beaches and trying to help save our coral reefs; this insures the Sea Turtles a safer, cleaner environment.
Once you see a turtle swimming under water in our seas, it touches your life, and your life is changed forever. My hope is that all people will help save and renew our troubled planet.
I am a retired Building Inspector and a Dive Master who has a deep desire to help and rescue all animals. All of our critters deserve our help and love, this includes our coral reefs.
As well as a board member for Save A Turtle, I volunteer with different organizations to clean our oceans, beaches and trying to help save our coral reefs; this insures the Sea Turtles a safer, cleaner environment.
Once you see a turtle swimming under water in our seas, it touches your life, and your life is changed forever. My hope is that all people will help save and renew our troubled planet.
JENNIFER DE MARIA
My name is Jen. I have been a member of Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys roughly 15 years, and a Board Member for about 10. I found my way to the Save-A-Turtle organization by way of meeting turtle beach walkers who were patrolling for nests many years ago. Their passion for sea turtles was evident as they took the time to explain their purpose. It was the first exposure to anything sea turtle related in my life. Upon learning more about the plight of sea turtles, I decided that I should volunteer to help them, their habitat and help educate others about them.
Living here I see the exploitation of the environment and wildlife including sea turtles through many causes including reckless development, pollution, entitlements, speciesism, and so much more. Despite all the pressures on sea turtles, they are still here so far, they are incredibly resilient. Sea turtles are an inspiration to me because of their persistence seemingly against all odds. I feel obligated to do what I can to help them.
I commit to as many volunteer opportunities for Save-A-Turtle (as well as other causes) as possible, including serving on the Board, doing community outreach, fundraising for donations to Save-A-Turtle and other like minded organizations, participating in organized coastal cleanups as well as doing them on my own, and many other efforts. I have been a Marine Turtle Permit Holder, and still am on the Stranding & Salvage team as well as a beach walker.
I am an activist and advocate for all animals, choosing to help educate humanity on the moral baseline that all animals, including sea turtles, are here with us, not for us.
My name is Jen. I have been a member of Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys roughly 15 years, and a Board Member for about 10. I found my way to the Save-A-Turtle organization by way of meeting turtle beach walkers who were patrolling for nests many years ago. Their passion for sea turtles was evident as they took the time to explain their purpose. It was the first exposure to anything sea turtle related in my life. Upon learning more about the plight of sea turtles, I decided that I should volunteer to help them, their habitat and help educate others about them.
Living here I see the exploitation of the environment and wildlife including sea turtles through many causes including reckless development, pollution, entitlements, speciesism, and so much more. Despite all the pressures on sea turtles, they are still here so far, they are incredibly resilient. Sea turtles are an inspiration to me because of their persistence seemingly against all odds. I feel obligated to do what I can to help them.
I commit to as many volunteer opportunities for Save-A-Turtle (as well as other causes) as possible, including serving on the Board, doing community outreach, fundraising for donations to Save-A-Turtle and other like minded organizations, participating in organized coastal cleanups as well as doing them on my own, and many other efforts. I have been a Marine Turtle Permit Holder, and still am on the Stranding & Salvage team as well as a beach walker.
I am an activist and advocate for all animals, choosing to help educate humanity on the moral baseline that all animals, including sea turtles, are here with us, not for us.
MELISSA GOLDBLATT
I am originally from Michigan. I moved to Florida in 2012 to pursue my education in Animal Behavior Science. My career led me to Marathon, Florida in 2016 where I have been fortunate to work at many different facilities and non-profit organizations like at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, The Turtle Hospital and Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden Bird Sanctuary!!! I have a lifelong passion for all animals and a strong desire to help save the planet through education and conservation! I am so excited to make a difference with Save-A-Turtle!!
I am originally from Michigan. I moved to Florida in 2012 to pursue my education in Animal Behavior Science. My career led me to Marathon, Florida in 2016 where I have been fortunate to work at many different facilities and non-profit organizations like at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, The Turtle Hospital and Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden Bird Sanctuary!!! I have a lifelong passion for all animals and a strong desire to help save the planet through education and conservation! I am so excited to make a difference with Save-A-Turtle!!
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JACKIE JOHNSTON
Hello! I retired from a long career in the San Francisco Bay Area, packed up my rescue pets, and moved permanently to the Florida Keys in 2020. Although my professional life revolved around social services and public health, my personal interests have always been in animals and the ocean. I was certified to dive in Monterey Bay, California in 1984 and have traveled to Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Maldives, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Bonaire, the Philippines, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and British Columbia to experience sea creatures up close and personal in their natural world. I'm very concerned about coral reef habitat loss, microplastics pollution and overfishing in the oceans worldwide. I'm thrilled to be in the Keys now, where I can continue to think globally and act very much locally in helping to monitor sea turtle nests and raise awareness of the importance of preserving beaches for threatened and endangered sea turtles here in my island neighborhood |
JILL REILLEY
I was born and raised in a small town in New Jersey. My love for the ocean and all things beach related began at the Jersey Shore. My first trip to the Keys was in 2004 and it was love at first sight. I’d come back as often as I could, and it was always a dream of mine to move here.
In 2019 that dream became a reality when my family moved to Big Pine Key. I joined Save-A-Turtle as a beach walker shortly after settling here- it was, and continues to be, one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I’ve met amazing people and am honored to contribute to this amazing organization helping sea turtles!
I have a two year old daughter and among many other things, I’d love for her to grow up seeing sea turtles in the ocean with a first-hand understanding of the importance in respecting the planet and it’s wildlife.
I was born and raised in a small town in New Jersey. My love for the ocean and all things beach related began at the Jersey Shore. My first trip to the Keys was in 2004 and it was love at first sight. I’d come back as often as I could, and it was always a dream of mine to move here.
In 2019 that dream became a reality when my family moved to Big Pine Key. I joined Save-A-Turtle as a beach walker shortly after settling here- it was, and continues to be, one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I’ve met amazing people and am honored to contribute to this amazing organization helping sea turtles!
I have a two year old daughter and among many other things, I’d love for her to grow up seeing sea turtles in the ocean with a first-hand understanding of the importance in respecting the planet and it’s wildlife.
VANESSA WALSH
I was born in Annapolis, Maryland and enjoyed growing up along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. As a young teen, I loved my yearly family trips to the Keys and after graduating from Salisbury University, I moved to the Keys! I enjoy working with animals and educating people on the ways we can work together to help our planet. I like to dive, practice yoga and love spending time with my dog, Cookie.
I began volunteering with Save-A-Turtle in 2019 and have enjoyed being a beach walker ever since. I still get excited each morning when I look for turtle tracks, watch the sunrise and clean up the beaches. I look forward to doing education and outreach with Save-A-Turtle!
I was born in Annapolis, Maryland and enjoyed growing up along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. As a young teen, I loved my yearly family trips to the Keys and after graduating from Salisbury University, I moved to the Keys! I enjoy working with animals and educating people on the ways we can work together to help our planet. I like to dive, practice yoga and love spending time with my dog, Cookie.
I began volunteering with Save-A-Turtle in 2019 and have enjoyed being a beach walker ever since. I still get excited each morning when I look for turtle tracks, watch the sunrise and clean up the beaches. I look forward to doing education and outreach with Save-A-Turtle!
SUE SCHAF, FWCC
Technical Advisor
Technical Advisor
A Letter from our President
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“I have many goals to continue to grow Save-A-Turtle in the Florida Keys, Inc. which include continuing to recruit new members; continue our educational efforts regarding threats to sea turtles concerning lighting issues, pollution, sea level rise, and loss of habitat, and continue to grow the stranding and salvage network for sea turtles within the Florida Keys. In order to do this, I will also focus efforts on fundraising for our non-profit organization.
Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys, Inc. plans to partner with other like-minded organizations for joint fundraising efforts, as well as continue our presence at all local and grassroots festivals, events, and celebrations to show our presence in the Keys, and excite people young and old about imperiled sea turtles. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as President, and plan to maximize my efforts during my tenure. Along with Save-A-Turtle’s dedicated array of Board members I’m confident all these goals will be met and exceeded. I call upon all members to help us spread the vital message about endangered and threatened sea turtles and encourage your friends, families, colleagues and acquaintances to join our organization. Here in the Florida Keys there is much work to be done, and I truly look forward to this opportunity to do my part. Harry Appel, President, Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys.” |
Have you found a dead or injured sea turtle in Florida? Please Call FWCC at 888-404-3922
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