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Students in Cutler Bay wanted to create an organization to help the environment and at the same time enable their friends to earn community service hours during the pandemic. Out of that need Turtle Team was born in the summer of 2020, launched by its young founders Hunter, Amanda, Logan and Morgan.
From that small beginning the group has grown and Turtle Team has been organizing trash and debris cleanups over the past year and a half along South Florida’s shorelines.
They have set up monthly cleanups at Black Point Marina during the time block of 9:30 a.m. to noon every second Saturday of the month.
Their efforts go beyond just cleanups. Through the sale of Turtle Team shirts and caps they raise money to help the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, a fully functioning veterinary hospital in the Keys that rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles. In December 2021 they gave a check for $1,000 to the hospital.
Hunter Sosa, a 10th grade student and one of the founders, is pleased with what they’ve been able to accomplish.
“We started this during the pandemic to help other students earn community service hours but it has grown into so much more,” Sosa said. “We are now advocates and organizers creating a network of Ambassadors who also want to protect the oceans while having fun together. We are really proud. We were just talking with one of our Maryland Ambassadors who is planning an event.”
Nico Cera, also in the 10th grade and the vice president of Community Engagement, agrees.
“I love being outside,” Cera said. “Water activities are my favorite but my parents taught me not to take the environment for granted. In my position, I teach other kids how to help keep our marine environment healthy while earning service hours. We have also have a lot of fun hanging out.”
Upcoming Turtle Team cleanups at Black Point Marina will take place on June 11, July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10. Students interested in helping only need to register once and can do so at https://miamidadeparks.com/FL/miami-dade-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTEyODc2Mjc=
Turtle Team can be found online at: https://turtleteam.godaddysites.com.
Online store address is: https://stores.stationamerica.com/turtleteam
Turtle Team is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information send email to them at keysturtleteam@gmail.com or call 305-205-1435.
