GUIDEPOSTS
Turtle Patrol Update:
Week Five
As of Saturday, June 14, there are 684 nests in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge on Cape and Lighthouse Islands.
*All activity conducted with loggerhead sea turtles is done under state and federal permits (MTP-563)
Every summer, a new group of college interns arrives in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge to support the vital work of sea turtle protection, wildlife conservation, and environmental education. Hosted through the Coastal Expeditions Foundation, this internship is as immersive as it gets..
This year, we’re excited to welcome three exceptional students who have already demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental science and wildlife stewardship.
Juanita Franco
Centenary University | Biology Major (Environmental Science concentration)
Juanita joins us from Centenary University, where she is an honors student, campus leader, and an advocate for both biodiversity and inclusion. Her roles as vice president of the Evergreen Club and founder of the Multicultural Club demonstrate her ability to build community around shared values. She brings experience in animal behavior research, a passion for fieldwork, and the determination to one day become a wildlife conservation biologist. Raised in Colombia, Juanita’s connection to wild places runs deep—and we’re lucky to have her curiosity, leadership, and energy on our team this summer.
Kaili Hudson
Eckerd College | Biology Major (Marine Science and Environmental Studies concentration)
Kai is driven by a clear goal: to work in marine conservation and ecosystem management with a focus on sea turtle protection. Her academic background is reinforced by hands-on fieldwork, including freshwater turtle studies and lab-based research on Florida Stone Crabs. Kaili has experience living off-grid, thrives in unpredictable field conditions, and knows how to communicate science to the public—skills she developed through wildlife education roles and lifeguard training. She’s already proven that she’s ready for the rigors of conservation work in Cape Romain.
Parker Pound
College of Charleston | Dual Major in Environmental Science & Biology
Parker brings a global perspective to local conservation. After high school, she spent seven months volunteering across Central America—including two months at a sea turtle hatchery on the Pacific Coast, conducting wildlife surveys and nest relocation efforts. In Charleston, she’s led environmental programming for children, helping the next generation understand their role in conservation. With experience in fieldwork, public education, and ecological research, Parker is excited to return to the South Carolina coast to protect the wildlife she grew up loving.
Coming Up
Don’t miss out on the summer fundraisers! We’re offering two expeditions into Cape Romain NWR and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to pay the seasonal salaries of the technicians and interns that make this program go.
The Beach Drop for Sea Turtles is a family-friendly trip to the north end of Bulls Island for an ecotour and nesting demonstration. We’ve added a kids rate this year, so gather your family and come on out for loggerheads!
And new this year: Sunrise for Sea Turtles. This “morning in the life” of the sea turtle team leaves before dawn to head out to Bulls Island. Led by Capt. Chris Crolley, it’s a chance to walk the low-tide shoreline of a wild barrier island at dawn to look for loggerhead tracks and nests along the beach. Only two spots are left!
