Events

What would you need if you were going on a big adventure into the ocean? Every year, baby sea turtles hatch on North Carolina beaches and they start out on a great adventure of their own. With their big eyes to see the sights and their strong turtle instincts, they navigate the ocean until it's their time to return to the beach for nesting. Along the way, the moons of the sea help to guide them, but things aren't always what they seem. No live sea turtles are included in this presentation, though participants will get up close and personal with Aquarium Ambassador Animals.

Take a closer look at treasures we find on North Carolina’s beaches. Educators bring a sampling of the marine invertebrates that make many of our beautiful shells. Next time you take a stroll on the beach, teach your companions all about the mermaid’s purses, shark teeth, seashells, and sand dollars you find!

North Carolina's freshwater wetland habitats provide food, shelter, nurseries, and play space for native wildlife species. What happens when a wetland becomes unhealthy? How can we tell it's unhealthy? Participants become Habitat Fixer-Uppers by taking action to diagnose and clean up wetland habitat while meeting some of the animal species that call the freshwater wetlands home and learning how wetlands are important to us too.

Sea Turtles need our help STAT! Participants discover some of the challenges that these protected species face by taking on the roles of sea turtle Veterinarians. Together we diagnose our sea turtle patients' injury or illness, and we discuss the best treatment so that our patients can return to the sea. No live sea turtles are included in this presentation, though their land and freshwater turtle friends will visit to aid in understanding characteristics and adaptations that each type of turtle needs for life in its habitat.