The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center Dedicated to the conservation and protection of all marine turtles both on the beach and in the water Tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
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A volunteer run hospital for sick and injured sea turtles off Charlie Medlan Drive in Surf City, North Carolina. Purchase tickets online at www.seaturtlehospital.org. Link to our Amazon Wishlist. https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/1XTFN4BM4BKEJ/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl

TBT! We remember our first KBSTRRC staff shirt, circa 1998 ish. I don't know how many were printed, I am guessing abou...
09/03/2026

TBT! We remember our first KBSTRRC staff shirt, circa 1998 ish. I don't know how many were printed, I am guessing about 6, and after wearing mine out I framed it.
This remains Yours truly's favorite shirt in 30 years with the project.

Last but certainly not least, we’re excited to introduce our final Junior Intern of the summer! Please meet Taylor!"This...
09/02/2026

Last but certainly not least, we’re excited to introduce our final Junior Intern of the summer! Please meet Taylor!

"This has been one of the BEST experiences ever! I absolutely loved getting to learn both the husbandry side and education side of things!! If anything, this program has only further confirmed my future career aspirations. Thank you to everyone at KBSTRRC for everything :)"

We are so glad this experience has helped guide you toward your future aspirations! We want to thank you for all the hard work and dedication you put into your internship. We truly appreciate your enthusiasm for conservation and hope you continue to inspire others wherever you go. We wish you the very best and know you will accomplish great things in the future!

This work for protected at is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

Next up in our Session 6 Junior Intern introductions is Josie!"Before my first day at the sea turtle hospital, I was ner...
08/31/2026

Next up in our Session 6 Junior Intern introductions is Josie!

"Before my first day at the sea turtle hospital, I was nervous because I didn't know if I was going to be able to properly take care of the sea turtles. Over the first few days, I got more confident about taking care of the sea turtles because I did the same routine everyday. Also, the volunteers were extremely helpful when I had questions. I was also scared to give the tours at first but since I was able to give family and friends tours, I was able to practice. By the second week, I felt very good about my tours and feel like I was able to educate the tour participants. I also enjoyed learning all of the current patient's personalities, like Pumpkin Spice loving to go into her "cave." Among many other things, I learned that sea turtles can easily be injured and even die due to the negligence of humans. I really value my time and experience at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. Thank you for having me."

Thank you, Josie, for spending your time with us as an intern! We’re so proud of the confidence you’ve gained throughout your internship and so happy that you enjoyed your time with us. We hope you’re able to carry the skills and experiences you gained here into whatever comes next. Wishing you the very best on all of your future adventures!

This work for protected at is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

Today, with a small splash and lots of flowers, Jean and Fred Beasley were laid to rest in a reef ball offshore at Dare'...
08/28/2026

Today, with a small splash and lots of flowers, Jean and Fred Beasley were laid to rest in a reef ball offshore at Dare's Reef. They are greatly missed.

Jean and Fred, you are forever in our hearts. Thank you for the legacy you have built in the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center. We will carry it forward in your honor.

Two and a half miles off the coast of Topsail Beach, Dare's Reef is the first sea turtle memorial artificial reef in the U.S. It was built by Eternal Reefs, working in partnership with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries to create habitat for fish, sea turtles, and other ocean creatures. With its reef balls made of environmentally safe concrete, Eternal Reefs offers a memorial option that serves as a permanent environmental living legacy. Dare was a Kemp's ridley turtle who one of the first patients at our first sea turtle hospital in Topsail Beach. After facing extraordinary challenges, Dare eventually succumbed to her injuries. All of us at KBSTC feel honored to partner with Eternal Reefs and dozens of families over the years as they memorialize their loved ones while creating new life in the ocean.

Many thanks to: the staff of Eternal Reefs, the NC Division of Marine Fisheries, Captain Taylor and , the crew of the Sherri D, and .

We’re excited to introduce our next Junior Intern, Rhea!"My experience at KBSTRRC was definitely different than any othe...
08/26/2026

We’re excited to introduce our next Junior Intern, Rhea!

"My experience at KBSTRRC was definitely different than any other experience I have had. It was a great learning experience and I learned things I wouldn’t learn anywhere else. All the volunteers, senior interns and the staff were so helpful and kind (shoutout Mary!!) in answering all my questions and teaching me how everything here works. This internship also helped with my public speaking! Going on tours and meeting all kinds of people from different places was a really unique experience!

I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to be apart of this team for two weeks, meet all these cool people, and help these turtles in a different way"!

Rhea, we want to thank you for spending two weeks of your summer with us! We are so grateful for all of your hard work and dedication throughout your internship. We’re thrilled that you were able to learn new skills, and gain valuable experience with us. We’ve loved having you as part of our team and wish you the very best in whatever the future holds for you!

This work for protected at is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

It’s officially the end of our summer junior internship program, but we couldn’t wrap up the season without introducing ...
08/24/2026

It’s officially the end of our summer junior internship program, but we couldn’t wrap up the season without introducing our final group of high school interns from session six! Please meet Odette, who is returning for her second summer with us!

"I am truly grateful to be given the opportunity to return to this amazing center. As a second year junior intern, I got to experience an amazing combination of leadership, yet also working under the rotating groups of volunteers. From fruitless nest sitting to seeing the babies ACTUALLY hatch, there was never a dull moment! I want to add a humongous thank you to every staff member and volunteer who made me feel so welcome and supported with the center family, and to the senior interns who took the time to answer my many questions. Being a curious and inquisitive young adult, it is the people who take the time to share their love of science with me that are so very special. This experience truly confirmed and fed my love for knowledge, so for that I am forever thankful".

Odette, we want to thank you for returning to intern with us for another summer! We’re so happy to be surrounded by curious students, and we hope your time here has expanded your knowledge and helped you grow. We truly appreciate all the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm you brought to this internship! We wish you all the best in the future and know you’ll do amazing wherever life takes you!

This work for protected at is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

08/24/2026

Stealth Release 08/24/26

✨💦Internship Opportunity Alert! 💦✨Are you a college student or recent graduate looking for hands-on experience in life s...
08/23/2026

✨💦Internship Opportunity Alert! 💦✨

Are you a college student or recent graduate looking for hands-on experience in life support system operations and water quality? The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center is looking for a motivated intern who wants to learn how the behind-the-scenes systems of a sea turtle hospital operate—all while contributing to a meaningful cause!

Our Life Support & Water Quality Internship offers the opportunity to gain practical experience with water quality monitoring, filtration, pumps, plumbing, system maintenance, and more while helping provide the best possible care for our sea turtle patients.

Free, on-site housing and a living stipend are provided. Applications are due Sept. 30th. See our website for more details and the link to apply.

https://www.seaturtlehospital.org/life-support-and-water-quality-internship.html



This work for protected at is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

Join us tonight at 5:15 at the Onslow County Public Library, Sneads Ferry branch as we share the story of Jean Beasley a...
08/20/2026

Join us tonight at 5:15 at the Onslow County Public Library, Sneads Ferry branch as we share the story of Jean Beasley and the legacy she leaves Topsail sea turtles.

Our last intern we'd like to introduce from session 5 of our junior internship is Braelynn!"My experience as a junior in...
08/20/2026

Our last intern we'd like to introduce from session 5 of our junior internship is Braelynn!

"My experience as a junior intern was nothing short of amazing. I am so thankful for this opportunity and experience. I learned countless skills that will help me in future endeavors. While feeding and caring for the Sea Turtles was my favorite part of this internship, I am also so grateful for all the other staff and volunteers that were supportive and insightful. I loved hearing about what schooling and experiences led each of us to this place. Lastly, I am so thankful for Mary. She worked hard to make the junior interns feel welcomed and appreciated, which is something I will never forget".

Braelynn, we are so glad you decided to spend two weeks of your summer with us! We truly appreciate all of your hard work caring for our sea turtle patients and helping with tours. We are so thankful for your dedication and enthusiasm throughout your time with us. We know you will go on to do amazing things!

This work for protected at is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

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Surf City, NC

Telephone

+19103290222

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