Where Stories Spark Change for Our Oceans
We believe children aren’t too young to change the world. By inspiring wonder, encouraging curiosity, and turning learning into action, we help build a future where every child knows they can make a difference. Through award-winning children’s books, free educational resources, hands-on experiences, and conservation partnerships, Turtley Yours helps children and families discover the wonder of nature—and empowers them to protect it.
Why It Matters
Children protect what they love.
They love what they understand.
Everything we create—from books and lesson plans to nature experiences and conservation projects—is designed to inspire wonder, build connection, and empower young people to become lifelong environmental stewards.
Because everything matters.
Every species.
Every habitat.
Every action.
Every child.
Every story begins with wonder.
Every great conservationist was once a curious child.
Our award-winning books invite young readers to laugh, imagine, explore, and fall in love with the natural world. Along the way, they’ll discover that their choices matter—and that even small acts of kindness can help protect wildlife, our oceans, and the places we all share.
Because children protect what they love.
Our Mission in Action
Conservation happens when curiosity becomes action. Through education, partnerships, and community engagement, we help people discover meaningful ways to protect wildlife and the places we all share.
Conservation
Supporting organizations working every day to protect wildlife, restore habitats, and conserve our oceans.
Research & Innovation
Helping advance scientific research and conservation solutions through partnerships with organizations making a real-world impact.
Community Action
Empowering children, families, and communities with simple, meaningful ways to make a difference—no matter where they live. Each book contains ideas for ways children and families can make a difference from right where they live in everyday ways.
Proud to Support Those Doing the Hard Work—On the Beach and Beneath the Waves
Stronger Together
Protecting wildlife takes teamwork.
That’s why Turtley Yours proudly supports organizations leading conservation, research, rescue, and education around the world. While they protect wildlife in the field, we help inspire the next generation to care deeply enough to continue their work forward.
Together, we’re creating a future where wildlife and people thrive. Because every act of conservation—and every child inspired—matters.
Learn the ocean. Love the ocean. Protect the ocean.
We provide free resources, lesson plans, and stories to help students, educators, and lifelong learners understand the importance of ocean conservation.
Because education is where lasting change begins.
Events
Join Us • Make Waves
From beach cleanups to community events and educational talks, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference.
Discovery Workshop Series:
Discover the Galápagos Islands: A Journey Through Nature, History, & Conservation
What makes the Galápagos Islands one of the most extraordinary places on Earth?
Join Turtley Yours Foundation for a special Lunch & Learn featuring Mari Prieto Pino, an Ecuadorian biologist and Galápagos naturalist guide, who has been sharing the wonders of the Galápagos Islands with visitors for 35 years!
Located approximately 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife, extraordinary ecosystems, and fascinating natural history.
From the islands’ unique animals and plants to their influence on Charles Darwin’s understanding of evolution, the Galápagos have helped shape our understanding of the natural world.
And who better to introduce us to these incredible islands than someone who has spent decades exploring them?
During this fascinating presentation, Mari will share stories and insights regarding topics such as:
The Natural Wonders of the Galápagos: Discover the remarkable wildlife, unique ecosystems, and extraordinary adaptations that make these islands unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The Human History of the Islands: Discover the fascinating history of human activity in the Galápagos, including the establishment of a U.S. military base on Baltra Island during World War II.
Darwin and the Beagle: Explore Charles Darwin’s historic visit to the Galápagos and the role these islands played in the development of his ideas about evolution.
Conservation in Action: Learn about the ongoing efforts to protect the islands’ fragile ecosystems and the species that call them home.
EVENT DETAILS
Thursday, November 5, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Melbourne Beach Library
324 Ocean Avenue
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Presentation: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Adventure is just around the corner. We can’t wait to explore with you!
Why the Galápagos Matter to All of Us
Many of us will never have the opportunity to visit the Galápagos Islands. Yet the scientific discoveries, conservation lessons, and extraordinary biodiversity found there have contributed to our understanding of the natural world in ways that extend far beyond the islands themselves.
At Turtley Yours Foundation, we believe Everything Matters.
Every species. Every ecosystem. Every connection.
The Galápagos Islands offer an extraordinary reminder of just how interconnected our natural world truly is—and why protecting it matters, no matter where we live.
We hope you’ll join us for this special opportunity to experience the Galápagos through the eyes of someone who has dedicated decades to sharing their wonders.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this event with friends, family, educators, nature enthusiasts, and conservation organizations!
Conservation Begins With Wonder™
Wonder Workshops™: Big Discoveries. Little Explorers. Endless Wonder.
At Turtley Yours Foundation, we believe curiosity is the first step toward conservation!
Our FREE Wonder Workshops™ and educational programs bring the natural world to life through hands-on activities, fascinating discoveries, and opportunities to learn from scientists, naturalists, and conservation experts.
From Florida’s coastal habitats to extraordinary ecosystems around the world, there’s always something new to discover!
Adventure is just around the corner. We can’t wait to explore with you!
Our Jellyfish Discovery Workshop was a wonderful experience for all who attended! Keep an eye out for our next Wonder Workshop™.
See Conservation in Action
Stories come to life through hands-on adventures, classroom visits, beach explorations, and unforgettable learning experiences.
Wonder Begins Here…
Short videos that reveal the incredible wildlife, fascinating science, and hidden connections that make our oceans extraordinary. Watch, explore, and discover how every observation can become a step toward protecting the natural world.
Every beach walk tells a different story. On this adventure you’ll discover incredible wildlife—from birds and sea turtles to ghost crabs, jellyfish, seaweed, shells, and creatures hidden beneath the waves. Nature is full of surprises if you slow down, observe, and stay curious.
💡Wonder Question: What do all of these plants and animals have in common, even though they look so different?
Why It Matters: Every living thing on the beach is connected. Sea turtles depend on healthy beaches to nest. Birds rely on fish and crabs for food. Ghost crabs help clean the beach. Seaweed provides food and shelter for countless marine animals. Even tiny creatures help keep the ocean healthy. When we protect one part of nature, we help protect them all.
Wonder Question Answer: Although they look very different, every organism has an important job in the ecosystem. Some are predators, some are prey, some clean up dead plants and animals, and others provide food or shelter. Together they form a web of life where everything matters.
🔍 Look Closely:
How many different living things can you find? Remember: Nature rewards patient observers!
Can you spot:
A sea turtle nest?
A ghost crab?
An interesting shell?
A gopher tortoise?
A pelican?
Seaweed or sargassum?
Something you’ve never noticed before?
Atlantic spadefish begin life hiding among floating seaweed, where their dark stripes help them blend into their surroundings. As they grow, they gather in impressive schools and become important members of reef communities throughout the western Atlantic.
💡Wonder Question: Why might swimming in a school help protect Atlantic spadefish from predators?
Why It Matters: Atlantic spadefish help keep reef ecosystems healthy by feeding on jellyfish and other small marine animals. Healthy reefs provide food and shelter for countless species, reminding us that every animal has an important role in the web of life.
Wonder Question Answer:
There is safety in numbers! By swimming together, Atlantic spadefish make it much more difficult for predators to single out one fish. Working together helps protect the whole school.
🔍 Look Closely:
Can you spot the dark stripes on the spadefish? How do you think those stripes help them blend in or confuse predators?
Did you know? Barnacles may look like rocks, but they’re actually living crustaceans related to crabs and lobsters! When covered by water, they extend feathery legs called “cirri” to capture tiny plankton drifting by. Even tiny barnacles play an important role in healthy coastal ecosystems by filtering water and providing food for other marine animals.
💡Wonder Question: How can an animal that never leaves its shell find enough food to survive?
Why It Matters: Barnacles may be small, but they play a big role in coastal ecosystems. As they feed, they help filter tiny organisms from the water and become an important food source for fish, sea stars, shorebirds, and other marine animals. Their hard shells also create habitat for many tiny creatures.
Wonder Question Answer:
Barnacles don’t have to chase their food. Instead, they wait for the tide to bring it to them! When they’re underwater, they extend tiny feathery legs (“cirri”), which act like little nets to catch plankton and other tiny marine life drifting by. When the tide goes out, they close their shells tightly to keep from drying out until the water returns.
🔍 Look Closely:
What changes do you notice when the barnacle comes to life? Can you spot the part it uses to catch food?
Not every meal comes easy! Seabirds often compete for food, chasing one another in hopes of stealing a freshly caught fish. This behavior, called kleptoparasitism, is a common survival strategy in many seabird species.
💡Wonder Question: Why do you think one bird tried to steal another bird’s fish instead of catching its own?
Why It Matters: Life in the wild isn’t always easy! Every fish is important because it provides energy that helps birds survive, grow, and raise their chicks. Watching animals compete for food reminds us that healthy oceans support healthy wildlife—and that every creature has an important role to play.
Wonder Question Answer:
Catching fish takes a lot of energy! Sometimes it’s easier for a bird to chase another bird and steal its meal instead. While it may seem unfair to us, it’s a natural survival strategy that helps some seabirds stay alive.
🔍 Look Closely:
Can you spot which bird catches the fish first? What clues tell you who wins the chase?
Giant kelp creates underwater forests that are home to an amazing variety of marine life. Growing as much as 2 feet per day, these towering algae provide shelter, food, and nursery habitat for hundreds of species along the California coast.
💡Wonder Question: If you could explore a kelp forest, what animal would you hope to find?
Why It Matters: Healthy kelp forests are important for both wildlife and people. They provide food and shelter for countless marine animals, help protect coastlines by reducing the force of waves, and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. Keeping our oceans clean helps these incredible underwater forests continue to thrive.
Wonder Question Answer:
There isn’t one right answer! Giant kelp forests are home to hundreds of different animals, including colorful fish, sea stars, sea otters, sea lions, octopuses, nudibranchs, and even sharks. Every visit to a kelp forest can reveal something new!
🔍 Look Closely:
Can you see how the giant kelp stretches toward the sunlight? Watch how the long fronds sway back and forth with the waves. Imagine all the tiny fish and other animals hiding among the kelp!
Building Tomorrow’s Ocean Stewards
The future of our oceans depends on the children we inspire today. Every story shared, every question answered, every beach explored, and every act of kindness toward nature helps grow a generation that understands, values, and protects our blue planet.
Because today’s curious kids become tomorrow’s conservation leaders.