Friday, January 22, 2010 - Oxbow Lecture Focuses On Hawksbill Sea Turtles Feb. 6

Dive deep into the incredible life of the enigmatic and least studied sea turtle on the planet -- the Hawksbill!  Larry Wood, conservation biologist with the Palm Beach Zoo, will shed some light on the unique research and findings of the Comprehensive Florida Hawksbill Research Program (CFHRP) at the Oxbow Eco-Center’s Wake-Up Call Lecture on Saturday, Feb. 6 at starting at 11:30 a.m.

Founded in 2004, the CFHRP is the first systematic study of the migratory and dietary habits of these remarkable turtles.  The Hawksbill is a medium-sized turtle with a beautiful shell and insatiable appetite for sponges.  It was hunted nearly to extinction for its shell which was used in decorative jewelry, hand mirrors, and other luxury items. Although Hawksbills do not nest on Florida beaches, the state's sponges and near shore reefs play a key role in the life cycle of the juvenile Hawksbill.

Working as a conservation biologist for CFHRP and in partnership with the Palm Beach Zoo, Larry Wood has been a tour de force in the sea turtle biology and conservation community for more than 20 years in South Florida.  He has gained national and international recognition for his in-depth work conducting sea turtle nesting surveys, tagging and tracking Hawksbill populations, creating educational programs, and establishing a sea turtle rehabilitation center.  The author of  ''A Field Guide for Sea Turtle Nesting Surveys," Wood earned his undergraduate degree in ecology and master’s degree in environmental science from Florida Atlantic University.

The Oxbow Eco-Center is a St. Lucie County Environmental Learning Center located on 225 acres on the St. Lucie River at 5400 N.E. St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie.  Lectures are free and begin at 11:30 a.m. Bring a coffee mug and enjoy some delicious bird-friendly coffee. For more information, contact Amanda Thompson at (772) 785-5842, send an email to thompsonam@stlucieco.org, or visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow.