It’s never too soon to introduce kids to the magic of nature and encourage actions that make a positive difference for our planet – whether big or small. And at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, young changemakers did just that by joining Disney Conservation cast members along with hundreds of guests at the Atlantic shoreline during the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 18th annual Tour de Turtles event.
What is the Tour de Turtles?
Tour de Turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort brings together researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation to track two female turtles as they make their way from the Disney Vacation Club resort back to the big ol’ blue after laying their eggs overnight.
And this year’s sea turtles were named after the beloved Disney Princesses who love the ocean and its creatures – Ariel and Moana!
Sponsored by Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Conservation Fund, Ariel – a green sea turtle – and Moana – a loggerhead sea turtle – are joining other sea turtles to see which will swim the furthest distance during a three-month span and win the Tour de Turtles race.
The turtles are equipped with satellite trackers that will allow biologists to monitor them – this will provide valuable insights into their migration patterns so we can learn how to best protect this endangered species from habitat loss, pollution and other threats.
Did you know?
- After spending years at sea, many sea turtles find their way back to the same beach where they were born to lay their own eggs. It’s called “natal homing” – how cool is that?
- Disney-sponsored turtles have collectively travelled around 55,000 miles total wearing satellite tags, helping us to learn more about sea turtle behaviors. Last year, loggerhead sea turtle Ebb took home the gold as the winner of Tour de Turtles, swimming more than 1,100 miles – the first-ever turtle sponsored by Disney to win!
Bringing Together Young Innovators and Future Leaders
This year, we welcomed our friend Jack – also known as “Kid Conservationist” to watch the release of the sea turtles as they swam off into the Atlantic Ocean. Jack is an amazing 15-year-old trailblazer from New Hampshire who is passionate about protecting the environment and spreading awareness about endangered species to inspire even more young people like him to get involved.
“Seeing the sea turtles so close and learning about them at the same time was fascinating, said Jack. “It’s inspiring to see the work that Disney and the Sea Turtle Conservancy are doing to protect the species.”
Disney Conservation cast members had the awesome opportunity to chat with Jack about what we do to help protect sea turtles – not only during nesting season but year-round, too. Since 2007, we’ve documented more than 1.8 million sea turtle hatchlings from over 24,000 nests near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
Ongoing Disney support has also enabled advancements in science – new technology has been added to the satellite tags allowing us to track water temperature and the turtles’ dive patterns.
“I grew up spending lots of time outdoors and really fell in love with nature from a young age,” shares Emily, who leads Disney’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program. “After visiting a sea turtle rehabilitation center in high school, I felt inspired to help these incredibly resilient and fascinating animals and their habitats. I’ve been lucky enough to spend my career studying them, but it takes more than me and my fellow researchers to protect them – it takes everyone.”
Disney Cruise Line proudly supported local students from Club Esteem, a non-profit in Melbourne, Florida, dedicated to creating enriching and educational experiences. As part of the Sea Turtles Conservancy’s Sea Turtle Tech program, students participated in various beachside activities to learn more about sea turtle conservation during Tour de Turtles.
“When the Sea Turtle Conservancy saw how much people, especially young people, enjoyed watching the migrations of sea turtles online, we knew this research could be used to raise broad awareness about sea turtles and the threats they face,” said David Godfrey, executive director of the Sea Turtle Conservancy. “Today, the Tour de Turtles is our most effective tool for reaching and inspiring young people to get involved in conservation. When you add in the amazing support and partnership with Disney, the Tour de Turtles becomes a powerful vehicle for expanding awareness and support for the protection of sea turtles and their habitats.”
Hatch a Plan to Help Sea Turtles
What can we do to make sure our planet’s habitats are safe places for sea turtles like Ariel and Moana? Simple actions like keeping our beaches clean, turning off lights near the shore at night, avoiding marked nests and knocking down sandcastles to create obstacle-free beaches can make a difference. You can even join a local conservation group, volunteer for beach cleanups, or adopt a turtle to support protection efforts. Every small action helps create a safer, healthier environment for sea turtles and coastal wildlife.
“Every little bit counts when it comes to conservation,” shares Jack, the Kid Conservationist. “When one person takes a small step, we’re all able to make a difference – and it really adds up.”
Participating in STC’s annual Tour de Turtles is just one example of bringing Disney Planet Possible to life by taking action to make a happier, healthier planet possible for all.
To all the young conservationists and changemakers … stay curious, have the courage to make a difference, and most of all have fun! You never know where your journey may lead you.
To follow Ariel and Moana’s turtle migrations and where their journeys are taking them, be sure to visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org.
