Turtle Trackers marks 10 Years of grassroots conservation

What began as a chance encounter on a beach has grown into one of the Lowcountry’s most visible conservation efforts.

In late spring 2015, Karen Kindermann was walking along the sand in Sea Pines, a routine that had a favorite pastime after moving to the island the year prior, when she noticed two women near a beach walkway. One had her arm deep in a hole, pulling out what looked like ping pong balls, while the other placed them into a bucket.

Kindermann stopped to ask questions. The woman in the sand was Amber Kuehn, a marine biologist and director of Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island. She was relocating sea turtle eggs.

The brief conversation sparked a curiosity that soon turned into commitment. Kindermann attended one of Kuehn’s educational talks at the Sonesta Resort. Then she attended more.

As her interest grew, Kindermann recruited friends Melissa Krauss, Mary Ryan and Jackie Rosswurm, fellow members of the Women’s Club of Sea Pines, to form a local turtle interest group. Kuehn agreed to serve as mentor and advisor.

On April 4, 2016, eight women gathered in Ryan’s living room for the first meeting of what would become Turtle Trackers. Among them were Sigrid Carlson, Babs Erny, Cathy George and Donna Tuttle.

At the time, the goal was simple: bring a sea turtle talk to Sea Pines and generate interest in conservation.

Two months later, on June 8, 2016, they did just that.

With no budget and few connections, they created a flyer and distributed it widely, emphasizing one key detail: the event was free, including access through the Sea Pines gate.

The response exceeded expectations.

More than 155 people attended the first Turtle Talk at the Sea Pines Beach Club, filling a room designed for 135. One of those 155 in attendance was the fire marshal. The turnout signaled that interest in sea turtles was stronger than organizers had anticipated and that their work was just beginning.

“In the back of my mind, I was thinking, we’ll just do this talk and then we can disband, but with 155 people signing up, obviously it sounded like we had more to do,” said Kindermann.

From that moment, Turtle Trackers began to take shape as a formal organization.

Today, Turtle Trackers operates across Hilton Head Island and beyond as a volunteer organization focused on public education, beach stewardship and environmental advocacy, working alongside state-permitted groups to protect nesting sea turtles. Its mission, Kindermann said, is simple: “Education resulting in awareness, resulting in protection of the species.”

Growing from a grassroots effort

Early growth came quickly. Within months, new members joined, among them were Colleen Thompson, Mary Page Boyd, Deb Gillette, Kathy Jo Holleran, Linda Crowe, Annette Walker, Christine Beal and Rita Kernan.
A turning point came through a partnership with Bob Gossett, owner of the Salty Dog in South Beach.

Gossett allowed Turtle Trackers to establish a sea turtle learning station under a canopy near the popular ice cream window, creating a steady point of contact with visitors and residents alike. The location became a cornerstone of the group’s outreach.

At the same time, the Salty Dog launched a T-shirt bearing the message “Be Cool – Keep the Turtles in the Dark,” donating $5 from every sale to Turtle Trackers. The program continues today and has generated thousands of dollars to support outreach efforts.

What Turtle Trackers does

As the organization grew, its role became more clearly defined.
Unlike Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, which holds the state permit to monitor nests and handle protected wildlife, Turtle Trackers focuses on prevention preservation and public engagement.

Its volunteers, known as beach ambassadors, walk the shoreline in the evenings during nesting season, filling in holes, knocking down sand structures and removing debris. The effort helps ensure that nesting turtles can reach suitable sites and that hatchlings can safely return to the ocean.

“We’re doing the work of keeping that beach safe for our hatchlings and the moms,” said Jackie Rosswurm. “Cleaning the beach, knocking over sand structures, filling in the holes.”

Just as important is interaction with the public.

Volunteers staff seasonal learning stations, distribute outreach materials and explain how everyday behaviors, such as leaving lights on at night or discarding plastic, can affect sea turtles.

They also support broader conservation measures, from beach signage and reminding people of turtle-safe practices to local policies aimed at reducing plastic waste and light pollution, including efforts to restrict plastic bags and other single-use items.

“We’re the backstory,” said President Lynette Shields, describing the group’s role in supporting larger conservation efforts.

Education as the foundation
Education remains central to the organization’s mission.
Turtle Trackers volunteers visit schools across Beaufort County, reaching more than 1,000 students annually with lessons on marine ecosystems and conservation. They also engage tourists through informal conversations on the beach, encouraging small actions such as filling in holes, picking up trash and minimizing light use.

“It’s those little things that make a difference,” said Rosswurm.

Looking ahead
In its 10th year, Turtle Trackers continues to grow and operates five additional chapters beyond its original Sea Pines base. Its reach extends through partnerships with local businesses, schools and conservation organizations, including the DNA Project at UGA managed by Brian Shamblin. The group also contributes financially to broader conservation work, including sea turtle research projects.

The organization recently launched the Turtle Trackers Linda Zambelli Family Foundation Scholarship to support students in Beaufort and Jasper counties pursuing studies in marine biology, environmental science and related fields, an investment in the next generation of conservation leaders.

At the same time, leaders say their greatest need remains volunteer participation, particularly as the group expands its education programs and outreach efforts. And you do not need to be an island resident to take part.

“You can be in Sun City, you can be in downtown Bluffton, you can be in Margaritaville… and if you want to come and help, you can,” said Shields.

For Kindermann, the work remains personal. She is still a regular presence at all Turtle Tracker events, greeting members and visitors alike and sharing what she has learned.

Turtle Trackers has grown from a single moment of curiosity into a community effort shaped by volunteers, sustained by partnerships and driven by a simple idea: that awareness can lead to protection. Nearly a decade later, that work continues one conversation, one beach walk and one visitor at a time.

For more information or to get involved, visit turtletrackershhi.org or follow Turtle Trackers on Facebook and Instagram.