Page 12 - Southern Exposure - October '23

Page 12, Southern Exposure

loggerhead newS from page 11 About The Keynote Speaker NOAA has created its own internal citation called the “Silver
A native of Alexandria, Va., and the son and grandson of Sherman,” which is given to the most creative NOAA employee.
marine biologist and filmmaker; Joel Sartore, longtime engineers, Jim Toomey intended to follow his family’s tradition Toomey has since repurposed his cartooning skills into
contributing photographer to National Geographic magazine after earning a mechanical engineering degree. That plan filmmaking and has produced several award-winning short
and author of The Photo Ark: One Man’s Quest to Document the changed once Toomey attended college and began drawing videos for clients such as the United Nations, The Pew Charitable
World’s Animals; Lad Akins, curator of marine conservation for political cartoons for the school’s newspaper. After graduation Trusts, and World Resources Institute. Playing the role of
the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science and inductee in and while holding down his engineering job, Toomey began host and animator, Toomey specializes in making science and
the Scuba Diving Hall of Fame; Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, marine to develop the daily comic strip, Sherman’s Lagoon, in his environmental issues understandable in short, entertaining, and
biologist and author; Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., president and chairman spare time. The lead character in Toomey’s comic, a shark visually rich videos. In August 2022, Toomey published a book
of Mission Blue and a National Geographic Society Explorer named Sherman, is more than just a comic hero; he’s an ocean about a two-year journey he took cruising with his wife and two
in Residence; and Brian Skerry, award-winning National champion, introducing people everywhere to our underwater children aboard a 45-foot catamaran in 2015 titled Family Afloat:
Geographic photographer and film producer. world and educating readers on the important challenges Two Years Sailing the World with Two Kids and Two Captains.
Submit a deserving nominee! To make a nomination and facing our ocean today. Toomey has twice received National The book describes Toomey’s experience sailing more than
to purchase tickets to the event, please visit marinelife.org/ Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) prestigious 12,000 miles, visiting 32 countries and territories, and crossing
connect/goblue. Submissions close on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Environmental Hero Award “for using art and humor to conserve an ocean. For more information, visit Mariner Studios.
Finalists will be announced in November. and protect our marine heritage.” To further honor Toomey,

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Awarded

$500,000 In Grants To Enhance Research,

Coastal Cleanups, And Water Filtration

LMC Announces State Funding While Hosting The will help improve our Center’s research efforts such as analyzing the impacts
First 2024 Public Meeting Of The Palm Beach County facility in the coming of marine debris on wildlife; studying sea turtle nests,
Legislative Delegation. years,” said Andy Dehart, diseases, and contaminants; and satellite tracking of
Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is honored to CEO of Loggerhead sea turtles. In addition, LMC will increase beach and
receive $500,000 in state grants to improve the center’s Marinelife Center. “As underwater cleanups, and expand education and awareness
saltwater filtration system, expand sea turtle and marine LMC is a unique and of single-use plastics.
debris research, and increase beach and underwater free public facility, these About Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC)
cleanups. Loggerhead Marinelife Center and local civic grants are critical in Loggerhead Marinelife Center, located in Loggerhead
and community organizations expressed their appreciation continuing our mission of Park, Juno Beach, Fla., is a sea turtle research,
to the 13-member Palm Beach County Legislative sea turtle rehabilitation, rehabilitation, education, and conservation center. The
Delegation during the opening of their 2024 planning education, and ocean center also manages the Juno Beach Pier across the street
session on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the center. conservation.” from the park. Established in 1983, LMC seeks to promote
Organizations such as Els for Autism Foundation The state grants will conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus
and the Palm Beach County Food Bank joined LMC allow the center to design Andy Dehart, CEO of on threatened and endangered sea turtles. Its facilities
to highlight their achievements, which included and engineer a critically Loggerhead Marinelife Center include a sea turtle hospital, a research laboratory, and
state funding, changes in law, and an array of health, needed water intake and exhibit areas, including live sea turtles and other coastal
infrastructure, and environmental benefits. discharge pumping system that will support the expanded creatures.
“We are grateful the Palm Beach County Legislative sea turtle hospital and conservation exhibitions. The Photos courtesy of Loggerhead Marinelife Center and
Delegation helped us appropriate these state funds which grants will also help to expand Loggerhead Marinelife Chad Baumer

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