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. |
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 |
“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.” |