Sea turtle season kicks off with local students & beach guests

Submitted
Posted 5/28/21

Over 1,500 students at local elementary schools have received a copy of Linda B. Schmitz Spangrud’s new book, “Miss Sandra and the Turtle People.” All students at Orange Beach Elementary School …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Sea turtle season kicks off with local students & beach guests

Posted

Over 1,500 students at local elementary schools have received a copy of Linda B. Schmitz Spangrud’s new book, “Miss Sandra and the Turtle People.” All students at Orange Beach Elementary School received the book. All second graders received a copy of the book at Florence B. Mathis Elementary, Foley Elementary, and Magnolia Elementary. All second and third graders received the book at Gulf Shores Elementary.

Miss Sandra portrays the story of a young turtle volunteer who comes to a life decision about her future and describes how she assists the Gulf Coast with environmental awareness. Miss Sandra, after guidance from her turtle friends, realizes it is more important to follow your dreams and passions. It informs children and families of the appropriate etiquette and rules for turtle protection and proper care of the beach environment. It relays to children and families turtle environmental protection guidelines in a playful storyline with colorful turtle illustrations emphasizing the “Leave Only Footprints” initiative. It teaches young readers about the health of the beaches and turtles themselves.

Spangrud is thrilled that so many students will be able to hear the story and learn how to help save the turtles and protect our beach environment. She is speechless on all the funders who donated to the cause and wishes to thank them publicly. The City of Orange Beach under leadership of Mayor Tony Kennon, Ken Grimes, Jerry Johnson, and Marc Anderson for funding the books for Orange Beach Elementary School, Mayor Ralph Hellmich for funding the books for Foley Elementary School and Florence Mathias Elementary School, James Lipscomb & Sons under leadership of Doug Lipscombe for Magnolia Elementary School, and Centennial Bank under leadership of Rick Conway for Gulf Shores Elementary School.

She also extends a big thank you to Meyer Vacation Rentals, under leadership of Michelle Hodges, who placed over 1,000 “Miss Sandra and the Turtle People” books in their rental properties. This will educate our beach visitors on sea turtle safety and beach protection. Spangrud says she would like to thank the many businesses and individual donors who contributed to raise over $10,000 for this book condo project. She says to all, “You are the best! And Turtle love to all!”

Alabama Coastal Foundation, Share the Beach, and the Tourist Center have also supported this project from the beginning.