Loggerhead Sea Turtles
A Fresh Air Program
by Morgan
How would you like to
live to be more than a hundred years old? Or have 126 children? I don't know any
person who has experienced this, but if we examine the life of the Loggerhead
turtle, they might be able to answer these questions. Loggerhead turtles can
live up to hundreds of years old and sometimes even thousands! The mothers can
lay up to 126 eggs, but only a few of them make it to adulthood because of
predators like larger fish, raccoons, and seabirds find the eggs. The Loggerhead
turtle buries their eggs from 12 inches to 16 inches deep. The eggs resemble
ping pong balls.
As the turtles begin to hatch, they climb their way to just below the
surface. There they wait until cooler temperatures signal nightfall so they can
make their way to the surface. Then, they head toward the brightest light which
is usually the moon reflecting off the sea. Unfortunately, many become
disoriented because of lights from houses and stores and head toward them,
rather than the sea.
Baby sea turtles swim around the ocean for their entire lifetime until they
are fully grown. When the females mate they come back to that exact same beach
and lay their eggs.
These are just a few of the things I learned about Loggerhead sea turtles,
through a field trip offered by Fresh Air Family.
The Fresh Air Family was founded by Ms. Verna Gates in 2006. The program
offers outdoor activities such as, hiking, camping, canoeing, etc. at minimal or
no cost to members. Ms. Gates created the program to bring families closer
through nature.
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Below is a statement from me regarding Fresh Air Family. If it constitutes a "testimonial", so be it as wonderful.
It was during the course of the turbulent 1960's that environmentalism and the "green movement" became popular. The concept had long been embraced and recognized as a budding essential part of the survival of Creation but debates, analyses, and discourse were essentially limited to intellectual circles. Yippee for one of the most positive remnants of the 1960's renaissance. Much of that time period has unfortunately bitten the dust.
Today, "global warming" has become the poster child for the imperative need to respect our natural resources. It is sad but apparently true that fear motivates the general populace more than anything else.
Environmentalism, in its pure state, holds a respect for all species and all of that living, flora and fauna. It acknowledges the interdependence of life forms and the concept of "ecosysyems". Diversity is revealed as an integral part of the perpetuity of all organic matter.
The creator of the FreshAir Family organization needs to be honored. This organization has taken the respect for life, aka "the environment", and combined it with the age-old homo sapiens (and other species) love for "family". The activities of the organization directly perpetuate the demand to acknowledge the limits of our resources while simultaneously enhancing intimate family "togetherness" and "plain fun". This combination is abundantly powerful! It is the ultimate of win-win scenarios. May God continue to provide blood and guts to the glorious group.
Charles Gleaton
I have not enjoyed a trip like I enjoyed Desoto State Park in years and years! Thank you so much.
Dottie
Age (over 70, no specifics given)
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