tour de turtles disney vero beach 2022

Just Keep Swimming! 15th Annual Tour de Turtles Underway From Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

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Disney sponsors two loggerhead sea turtles, named Neytiri and Ronal, who are swimming to raise awareness about the threats sea turtles face every day

VERO BEACH, Fla. (July 30, 2022) – Earlier today at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation Team Wildlife released two sea turtles as part of the 15 th  annual Tour de Turtles “migration marathon.” Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational initiative that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds. Each turtle swims to raise awareness about various threats to sea turtle survival.

The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Neytiri and Ronal, are inspired by the upcoming premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Through the use of satellite telemetry, STC will track these two turtles along with 19 others to determine how far and where sea turtles swim during their annual migration. The one to swim the furthest distance wins Tour de Turtles!

  “Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans almost 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean,” said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment (ASE). “Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles in the world. To ensure Disney’s Vero Beach Resort continues to provide the best habitat for nesting sea turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife conducts daily surveys on the resort’s beachfront to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests while engaging guests in our conservation efforts.”

  The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 26 loggerhead sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The Disney Conservation Fund has also directed more than $4.7 million to help global sea turtle conservation.

  “Since our very first Tour de Turtles, Disney has been an invaluable supporter of the event and our organization,” said David Godfrey, Executive Director of STC. “In addition to learning new information about sea turtle behavior, Disney’s support has allowed us to develop new training programs for local students to learn about the tools, technology and techniques sea turtle scientists use every day.”

  The Disney Conservation Fund recently awarded a grant to STC to develop two educational initiatives that will train Brevard County youth to become future stewards of the environment and sea turtle conservation. The Sea Turtle TECH (Technology Education Challenges Horizons) mentorship program and Conservation Career Training Program provide STEM-focused activities to introduce students from diverse and underserved communities to the fundamentals of protecting sea turtles. Students in these programs attended this year’s Tour de Turtles event to better understand how this and other outreach initiatives play a crucial role in protecting sea turtles.

  In addition to Tour de Turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife studies and monitors sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the sea turtle conservation team by joining outings to observe sea turtles while learning how they can protect sea turtles through their own daily actions.

  Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.

  Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and is an example of  Disney Planet Possible  at work. To learn more and follow the turtles’ migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at  www.tourdeturtles.org . 

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15th Annual Tour de Turtles Underway at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Earlier today at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation Team Wildlife released two sea turtles as part of the 15th annual Tour de Turtles “migration marathon.”

What’s Happening:

• Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational initiative that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds. Each turtle swims to raise awareness about various threats to sea turtle survival.
• The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Neytiri and Ronal, are inspired by the upcoming premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water . Through the use of satellite telemetry, STC will track these two turtles along with 19 others to determine how far and where sea turtles swim during their annual migration. The one to swim the furthest distance wins Tour de Turtles!
• The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 26 loggerhead sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The Disney Conservation Fund has also directed more than $4.7 million to help global sea turtle conservation.
• The Disney Conservation Fund recently awarded a grant to STC to develop two educational initiatives that will train Brevard County youth to become future stewards of the environment and sea turtle conservation. The Sea Turtle TECH (Technology Education Challenges Horizons) mentorship program and Conservation Career Training Program provide STEM-focused activities to introduce students from diverse and underserved communities to the fundamentals of protecting sea turtles. Students in these programs attended this year’s Tour de Turtles event to better understand how this and other outreach initiatives play a crucial role in protecting sea turtles.
• In addition to Tour de Turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife studies and monitors sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
• From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the sea turtle conservation team by joining outings to observe sea turtles while learning how they can protect sea turtles through their own daily actions.

What They’re Saying:

• Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment (ASE), said: “Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans almost 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean. Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles in the world. To ensure Disney’s Vero Beach Resort continues to provide the best habitat for nesting sea turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife conducts daily surveys on the resort’s beachfront to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests while engaging guests in our conservation efforts.”
• David Godfrey, Executive Director of STC said:  “Since our very first Tour de Turtles, Disney has been an invaluable supporter of the event and our organization. In addition to learning new information about sea turtle behavior, Disney’s support has allowed us to develop new training programs for local students to learn about the tools, technology and techniques sea turtle scientists use every day.”

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Grab shell: Tour de Turtles underway at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Tour de Turtles Tour de Turtles is underway at Vero Beach Resort. (Courtney Kiefer/Walt Disney World)

VERO BEACH, Fla. — Slow and steady wins the race.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The 15th annual Tour de Turtles is officially underway at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.

The “migration marathon” sees the turtles begin from the nesting beaches of Vero Beach Resort to feeding grounds in the Bahamas, Caribbean and beyond, Disney said.

See more in the video below:

READ: World’s toughest turtle? Survivor among 8 returned to ocean

Of the 12 turtles participating, Disney is sponsoring two of the females, Neytiri and Ronal, named after characters in the upcoming film “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

Satellite telemetry tracks the turtles on their journey. Data collected during Tour de Turtles help officials make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies, Disney said.

Since 2008, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney have studied 26 sea turtles outfitted with the transmitters and released from the resort.

READ: Palm Coast Turtle Trail set to unveil new turtle sculpture Friday

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Tour de Turtles

Saving Sea Turtles is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles Marathon is divided into leatherbacks and non-leatherback ( chelonians ). The Leatherback Tour de Turtles will start on June 16 (World Sea Turtle Day) and the Chelonian Tour de Turtles will start on August 1. Click on the turtle icon to view the turtle’s map.

Time until the start of the 2024 Tour de Turtles: 56 days

A program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy 4581 NW 6th St, Suite A Gainesville, FL 32609 352-373-6441  |   [email protected]

© 2008 - 2023 Sea Turtle Conservancy, all rights reserved. The Sea Turtle Conservancy logo and turtle, the Sea Turtle License Plate, and the Tour de Turtles logo are registered trademarks of Sea Turtle Conservancy.

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15th Annual "Tour de Turtles" Officially Begins at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

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15th Annual Tour de Turtles Underway from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Environment

August 3, 2022

Ready … set … SWIM!

The 15 th  annual  Tour de Turtles  is shaping up to be an epic journey for our two female sea turtles, Neytiri and Ronal.

The turtles, sponsored by the  Disney Conservation Fund  and  Disney Cruise Line , began their “migration marathon” from their nesting beaches at  Disney’s Vero Beach Resort  to feeding grounds in The Bahamas, Caribbean and beyond. Through satellite telemetry, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation Team Wildlife will track the two female turtles to determine how far they swim during the migration season.

Neytiri and Ronal, named after characters in the highly anticipated upcoming film “Avatar: The Way of Water,” are “racing” alongside other sea turtles, each highlighting a threat to turtle survival. The turtle to swim the furthest distance wins Tour de Turtles!

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies. Since 2008, STC and Disney have studied 26 sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. In addition to the more than $4.7 million directed to help sea turtle conservation efforts globally, this year the Disney Conservation Fund is supporting STC’s new mentorship and career training program – Sea Turtle TECH – a STEM program aimed at sparking passion for sea turtle conservation among local youth from diverse and underserved communities. Students attended this year’s Tour de Turtles event to better understand how these outreach initiatives play a crucial role in protecting sea turtles.

Did you know that sea turtles have been living on planet Earth since before the time of the dinosaurs? After decades of traveling the open ocean, female sea turtles return to the nesting grounds where they were hatched to lay their own eggs. Southeast Florida, where Vero Beach is located, is one of the most important turtle nesting habitats in the world.

But life is filled with danger for a sea turtle, especially a hatchling. That’s why Team Wildlife conducts daily surveys along the nearly five miles of sea turtle nesting beaches surrounding Disney’s Vero Beach Resort to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests, as well as determine the number of sea turtle hatchlings produced from these nests. This helps us ensure this Disney Vacation Club resort continues to be a special place for nesting sea turtles.

As part of the celebration, a larger-than-life sand sculpture was crafted by sand artisans to commemorate the weekend.

Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and is an example of Disney Planet Possible at work. To learn more and follow the turtles’ migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at  tourdeturtles.org . And be sure to watch “Avatar: The Way of Water,” in theaters Dec. 16.

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Just Keep Swimming! Disney’s Vero Beach Resort’s 15th Annual Tour de Turtles

On July 30th at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation Team Wildlife released two sea turtles as part of the 15th annual Tour de Turtles “migration marathon.” Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational initiative that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds. Each turtle swims to raise awareness about various threats to sea turtle survival.

The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Neytiri and Ronal, are inspired by the upcoming premiere of “ Avatar: The Way of Water .” Through the use of satellite telemetry, STC will track these two turtles along with 19 others to determine how far and where sea turtles swim during their annual migration. The one to swim the furthest distance wins Tour de Turtles!

“Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans almost 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean,” said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment (ASE). “Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles in the world. To ensure Disney’s Vero Beach Resort continues to provide the best habitat for nesting sea turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife conducts daily surveys on the resort’s beachfront to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests while engaging guests in our conservation efforts.”

The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 26 loggerhead sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The Disney Conservation Fund has also directed more than $4.7 million to help global sea turtle conservation.

“Since our very first Tour de Turtles, Disney has been an invaluable supporter of the event and our organization,” said David Godfrey, Executive Director of STC. “In addition to learning new information about sea turtle behavior, Disney’s support has allowed us to develop new training programs for local students to learn about the tools, technology and techniques sea turtle scientists use every day.”

The Disney Conservation Fund recently awarded a grant to STC to develop two educational initiatives that will train Brevard County youth to become future stewards of the environment and sea turtle conservation. The Sea Turtle TECH (Technology Education Challenges Horizons) mentorship program and Conservation Career Training Program provide STEM-focused activities to introduce students from diverse and underserved communities to the fundamentals of protecting sea turtles. Students in these programs attended this year’s Tour de Turtles event to better understand how this and other outreach initiatives play a crucial role in protecting sea turtles.

In addition to Tour de Turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife studies and monitors sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the sea turtle conservation team by joining outings to observe sea turtles while learning how they can protect sea turtles through their own daily actions.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.

Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and is an example of Disney Planet Possible at work. To learn more and follow the turtles’ migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org .

A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.

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Tour de Turtles Underway at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

by Melissa Roden · July 30, 2023

Yesterday was a momentous occasion at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.   Researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation released two sea turtles as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles migration. This education event is a highlight of the Vero Beach Resort calendar and gives guests a chance to see turtle migration from sea turtles, nesting beaches, and feeding grounds.  

The two turtles released yesterday were named Madame Leota and Harriet drawing inspiration from the live-action film Haunted Mansion which made its debut in theaters this weekend.  Each year the Tour de Turtles brings together the STC and Disney Conservation who use satellite telemetry to track two female turtles and keep tabs on how they swim during migration. The turtle that swims the furthest wins the Tour de Turtles race. 

“Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1.5 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean,” said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment. “Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles, making up to 40 percent of the global loggerhead population. The team has recorded more than 20,000 sea turtle nests on our survey route since the program began.”

The data collected by the turtles help researchers and conservationists make informed decisions about sea turtle conservation and management.  Since the event first kicked off at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort back in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to monitor 29 sea turtles. This year, Disney Cruise Line also sponsored local students from Club Esteem in Melbourne, Florida to participate in the event. 

To date, the event has successfully raised more than $5.1 million to support global sea turtle conservation efforts. 

The Disney Conservation team has dedicated nearly 19,000 hours to studying and monitoring sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season at the coastline at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.  Those staying at the property from May to October may have the unique opportunity to observe real-time sea turtle research. 

This is proving to be a banner year for sea turtle conservation. This year the Disney Conservation team recorded a record-breaking number of nests- nearly 2,000 which is above the 1,500 normally counted. 

Photo: Disney

About Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is a Disney Vacation Club property and offers spacious vacation villas with incredible views of the Atlantic coastline.  Located less than two hours from Disney World, the design of the resort property is inspired by the Treasure Coast. 

Rooms at Vero Beach are often available for non-DVC members.  Fill out our form below for your FREE, Vero Beach Quote.     

Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Walt Disney World news and updates. We’ll be coming to you LIVE! from the theme parks each and every week. 

Photo: MickeyTravels

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Find out more or get your FREE no-obligation quote at  [email protected]  at 1.800.801.4025 or via  Facebook

Tags: Disney Conservation Fund Disney's Vero Beach Resort Sea Turtles Tour de Turtles

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12th Annual Tour De Turtles Underway from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Earlier today at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment (ASE) team released two loggerhead sea turtles as part of the 12 th  annual Tour de Turtles “migration marathon.” Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational journey that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding ground. Each female loggerhead turtle swims to raise awareness about one of the threats that sea turtles face each day.

Through the use of satellite telemetry, STC will track Ariel and Ursula – named after characters in Disney’s animated film The Little Mermaid – to determine how far the sea turtles swim. The one to swim the furthest distance wins. Ursula is sponsored by the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and will swim to raise awareness about the threat of plastic debris. Ariel, co-sponsored by Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team, will swim to raise awareness about the threat of light pollution.

“Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation along Vero Beach, one of the most important turtle-nesting habitats in the western hemisphere, goes back more than a decade,” said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s ASE initiatives. “Our Conservation team conducts daily surveys along the nearly five miles of sea turtle nesting beach surrounding Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in order to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests, as well as determine the number of sea turtle hatchlings. This helps us ensure the resort continues to be a special place for nesting sea turtles and for the conservation science, protection and outreach needed to ensure their survival.”

The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have partnered to study twenty loggerhead sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The Disney Conservation Fund has also directed more than $3.5 million to help global sea turtle efforts and ensure a healthy population.

“Disney has been an invaluable partner to STC these last 12 years,” said David Godfrey, Executive Director of STC. “With Disney’s support of the Tour de Turtles program, we have learned new information vital to the protection of sea turtles in Florida. Through the Tour de Turtles, STC has identified different foraging behaviors and regions, seasonal movements based on water temperature, and identified new areas that should be classified as critical habitat for loggerhead turtles.”

In addition to Tour de Turtles, Disney Vacation Club members and guests staying at the resort during this time also have the opportunity to join the team on turtle conservation and outings to observe the sea turtles and learn ways they can get involved.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.

Tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Barrier Island Center in Melbourne STC will host a Tour de Turtles event that is open to the general public.

To learn more and follow the turtles’ migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at  www.tourdeturtles.org .

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