Town of Hempstead to Host Free Seminar

Saving Marine Mammals And Sea Turtles- Town Of Hempstead To Host Free Seminar


Supervisor Kate Murray announced that the Town of Hempstead Department of Conservation and Waterways, in cooperation with The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, will host a free seminar on Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Strandings. The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 17th at 6 p.m. at the town's Department of Conservation and Waterways Administration Building located on Lido Boulevard in Point Lookout.

"I am very pleased that the Town of Hempstead will be hosting this free seminar with the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation," said Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray. "This is a great opportunity, especially for those individuals who enjoy walking the beaches during the off season, to learn what they can do to help save an animal's life."

A biologist from the Riverhead Foundation will discuss the marine mammals and sea turtle species that live in the waters of Long Island. This seminar will properly instruct residents on what to do in the event that a seal, dolphin, whale or sea turtle is stranded on the beach.

The seminar will focus on a phenomenon called "Sea Turtle Cold Stunning," a process that causes sea turtles to become immobile due to the dramatic decrease in water temperature. A cold-stunned sea turtle may appear to be dead, but may actually be alive. Without proper intervention, a cold stunned sea turtle will inevitably die. This lecture will review the steps one may take to help rescue cold-stunned sea turtles.

"I encourage residents to join us on November 17th and learn what they can do to help save a stranded animal, while ensuring their own safety," concluded Murray.

Reservations are required as space is limited. To make reservations, please e-mail volunteers@riverheadfoundation.org or call (631) 369-9840. For further information or directions, please call the Department of Conservation and Waterways at (516) 431-9200.