Turtle summaries are now posted for 2022. Click on each turtle’s name to see her nesting history.
Available for adoption: 3 hawksbill turtles and 9 green turtles are waiting for names. To adopt yours, please visit our Adopt a Turtle page. We hope you enjoy learning about the individual turtles that call Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge home.
*For previous years, please scroll down and click on the links below. Names are assigned to nesting sea turtles as we find them and this page is updated regularly throughout the year
Hawksbill Turtles for 2022 —
Benji – Benji was adopted and named by Todd and Angela Kuehn for their grandson Benji. Benji’s first nest at Sandy Point was 27 April. Tag: KKX152.
Elizabeth – Adopted by Nancy and Herb Rose, for their granddaughter Lizzy, in memory of dear friend Olaf Saugen. Elizabeth was first found nesting and was tagged on 21 June. Tag: SP010.
Wilhelmine – Adopted and named by Vicki Marsh in honor of her mom. Vicki played along in our leatherback contest this year and won this adoption by guessing the correct date and beach of the first leatherback nest. Wilhelmine was first seen nesting on morning patrol at Sandy Point on 5 July. Tag: BBQ833.
Calypso* – Adopted and named by the Wells Family. Calypso’s first nest in 2022 was on 2 August. Tag: KKX129.
Tinker* – Adopted by Karin, Jason, Julia and Todd in memory of amazing sea turtle scientist, Catherine (Tinker was Catherine’s little dog). Tinker first nested at Sandy Point on the night of 6 September. Tag: FFG132.
Elnora – Adopted by Daniel Wilson, Elnora first nested on 2 August. Tag: KKX110.
Siera – Adopted and named by Sandra Nichols for her friend, Siera. ❤️ Siera first nested on 7 September. Tag: KKX049.
Higgy* – Adopted and named by the American Airlines PGS HDQ Team for Jennifer Higginbotham. Higgy’s first nest was on 21 September. Tag: FFG142.
Cornelia – Adopted and named by Tawnya and Michelle, in memory of their friend Cornelia. Cornelia nested for the first time on 22 September. Tag: FFG170.
MJZ* – Adopted and named by the Kelso family in Texas 🌟MJZ nested for the first time on 23 September, just before midnight. Tag: FFG195.
Jelly Bean – Adopted by Glenn Dodge for his wife Jean. Jelly Bean’s first nest was on 24 September. ❤️ Tag: KKX098.
*Tinker, Calypso, Higgy and MJZ are being tracked by satellite – see their travels here.
Green Turtles for 2022 —
Allison – Adopted by Nancy and Herb Rose, for their granddaughter Allison, in memory of dear friend Olaf Saugen. Allison’s first nest was on Cottages Beach on 30 March (early). Tag: KKX183.
Jessie – This beautiful turtle was adopted by Mike E in memory of dear friend Jessie T. Her first nest at Sandy Point was on 8 April. Tag: KKX056.
Summer – Adopted and named by Helen del Guidice after her daughter in law ❤️ Summer’s first nest at Sandy Point this year was on 19 April. Tag: KKX028.
Harpo – Adopted and named by Susan Del Guidice for her son, Mark. Harpo first appeared on Sandy Point on 10 August. Tag: KKX134.
Gaza – The bronze winner in our leatherback contest was Leah Atwell! She named her adopted green turtle, Gaza. Gaza appeared for the first time and got her tags on 10 August. Tag: KKX113.
Natasha – Adopted and named by Judy Kettenstock and Alex Peat. Natasha first nested at Sandy Point on 31 August. Tag: KKX147.
Aspen – Adopted and named by the Avery family for son Aspen 😉 The first nest by Aspen this year was 31 August. Tag: TTH345.
Marion – Adopted and named by Peter White in memory of his paternal grandmother ❤️ Marion’s first nest was 31 August. Tag: KKX166.
Judith – Adopted by Rose Wood (Cruzan Beach House) in honor of her mom, Judith. Judith was first seen at Sandy Point on 6 September. Tag: KKX136.
Kay – Adopted by Keith Venes (Cruzan Beach House) in honor of his mother, Kay. Her first nest was 6 September. Tag: BBQ953.
Avery – Adopted and named by the Heard family for their daughter, Avery. The first nest for Avery this year was 6 September. Tag: KKX031.
Kama – Adopted and named by Stella Kwiecinski. Stella has been visiting St. Croix since she was a hatchling herself 🐢 Kama’s first nest was 8 September. Tag: FFG114.
Ruthie B – Adopted by Julie Mullen, and named in memory of Julie’s mom, Ruthie. Ruthie loved the idea of travel and green turtles certainly do that! Tag: KKX093.
Sharla – Adopted and named by Sharla Hartman. Sharla’s first nest was on 10 September. Tag: BBQ936.
Croix – Adopted and named by Carly Ford, for her son, Croix, who was named for St. Croix. Croix’s first nest was on 14 September. Tag: BBQ899.
Savannah – Adopted and named by Susan Wills, in honor of her beloved dog 🐶 Savannah nested on 12 September. Tag: BBQ893.
Dakota – Dakota was adopted and named by Donna Strand. Dakota’s first nest was on 13 September. Tag: BBQ930.
Hermie – Adopted by Ayn and Zach, Hermie’s first nest was on 10 September. Tag: KKX140.
Jackson – Adopted by Stephanie Jackson, for her son Jackson, and her lovely family. ❤️Jackson first nested on 11 September. Tag: KKX179.
Ruth – Adopted and named by Vanessa Peifer. 🐢 Ruth is our oldest green turtle this year – she has been nesting at Sandy Point since 2005. Her first nest this year was on 13 September. Tag: MJ6.
Dale – Adopted and named by Trevena Moore. Dale’s first nest was at Sandy Point on 14 September. Tag: FFG157.
Élan – Adopted and named by DJ Larkey for Élan Slatton. Élan nested alongside Azure (see below) on the night of 14 September. Tag: FFG160.
Azure – Adopted and named by DJ Larkey for Azure Slatton. Azure nested for the first time on 14 September. Tag: KKX089.
Charlie – Adopted by Lorna Larsen for her grandson Charlie Larsen back in 2020 (nesting summary), Charlie returned to Sandy Point on 20 September. Tag: TTH348.
Debi – Adopted and named by Denise, Ernesto, Anastasia and Dianne in memory of Debi. This beautiful turtle was observed on a special date, 20 September, and was given her name just before midnight.❤️ Tag: KKX045.
Margarita – Adopted and named by Norm Forgey, Margarita’s first nest was on 11 September. Tag: KKX177.
Melissa – Melissa was adopted and named by Darren Tidwell. Melissa’s first nest was on 13 September. Tag: KKX080.
Reese – Adopted and named by Kimberly Hosler. Reese first nested on 12 September. Tag: FFG109.
Squirt – Adopted and named by Ken Almon for his granddaughters, Blair and Harlow. Squirt nested for the first time on 12 September. Tag: FFG111.
Serenity by the Sea – Adopted and named by Thomas Barkley. Serenity’s first nest was on 24 September. Tag: FFG112.
Debra – Adopted by Veronica Dristas in memory of Debra. Tag: FFG127.
Penelope – Adopted by Pippi Mangum from the proceeds of her own bake sale to benefit the turtles. Penelope first nested on 14 September. Tag: FFG129.
Manman – Adopted by Pippi Mangum for Erin Silliman. Manman’s first nest was 21 September. Tag: FFG119.
Millsy – Adopted by Pippi Mangum for Principal Mills. Millsy first nested on 14 September. Tag: FFG175.
Nelly – Adopted by Pippi Mangum. Nelly first nested on 15 September. Tag: FFG136.
Fifi – Adopted by Madel Villegas, Fifi was first tagged on 28 September. Tag: KKX091.
Crider – Adopted by the Ellis family for their grandchildren in Colorado. Crider first nested on 15 October. Tag: FFG187.
Becca – Adopted by the Gilberts for their daughter, Becca. Becca first nested on 14 September. Tag: FFG162.
Raya – Adopted by Caresse Hansen. Raya’s first nest was on 26 September. Tag: FFG164.
Fred – Adopted by Barbara Wagar. Fred’s first nest was on 11 September. Tag: FFG102.
Adopt and name your turtle. You can also give an adoption as a gift and let the recipient choose a name. We will be in touch with you as soon as the adoption is made to follow up.
Leatherback Turtles for 2022 — Click on turtle names to see nesting summaries for 2022.
Charlotte – Adopted and named by Sharon Grimes for her granddaughter Charlotte, who helped us at a nest hatching event in 2021! Charlotte’s first nest was on 11 March – she’s been nesting since 1997. Tag: AAQ943.
Nathalie – Sponsored for the fifth consecutive year by Avril Amato, we don’t expect Nathalie back this year, but we should see her in 2023. Thanks Avril ❤️
Wendy – Adopted and named by Susan Wills and Alice Luzinski, for Matt, in memory of Wayne Bowers Sr. ❤️ Wendy’s first nest was on St. Patrick’s Day morning, 17 March, and she’s been nesting at Sandy Point since 2005. Tag: MJ23.
Keelie – Adopted by Louisa Porter in 2018 (nesting summary) and named for team member Kelly, Keelie returned to Sandy Point on 30 March this year. Tag: SPP392. Keelie’s track at Sandy Point in 2022.
Kea – This little turtle was adopted back in 2019 (nesting summary) by Tawnya, for her daughter Olivia, who named Kea in memory of her dog. Kea showed up this year on 30 March. Tag: SPP425.
Peaches – Adopted and named by Mark Chavez, in honor of KD Chavez. Peaches first nest was also adopted for KD 😀 Peaches first nest was on 2 April. Tag: SP014.
Winnie – Adopted and named by Christella Campbell for her daughter and former Sandy Point student, Violet ❤️ Winnie made her first appearance at Sandy Point in the wee hours of 2 April. Tag: SPP350.
Rie – Another 2018 returning turtle (nesting summary), Rie was adopted that year by Bejai and Dan Higgins. Her first nest at Sandy Point in 2022 was on 3 April. Tag: SPP103.
Olaf* – Adopted and named by Vicki and Steve Nelson, in memory of their dear friend Olaf Saugen ❤️ Olaf is also sponsored by Herb and Nancy Rose, who are dear friends of Olaf. Olaf’s first nest at Sandy Point was on 4 April. Tag: SPP325. Track Olaf here.
Barb – This lovely turtle was adopted by friends and family of Barb Keogh (in memory) in 2020 (2020 nesting summary) and was sponsored by Penny Mabie. She was our first turtle to be satellite tracked that year. She returned to Sandy Point this year on 5 April. Tag: SPP088.
Madi – In 2019, Madi was adopted and named by Molly Murray ❤️ She returned this year for the first time on 8 April. Madi has been nesting for 30 years since first being tagged in 1992 (nesting summary)! Tag: PPQ148.
Rachael – Adopted by Nancy and Herb Rose, for their granddaughter Rachael, in memory of dear friend Olaf Saugen. Rachael’s first nest was in the very early morning hours of 8 April. Tag: SPP358.
Koda* – Adopted by Tina Kovalik in memory of her dog in 2019 (nesting summary), Koda nested this year on 14 April. Tag: SPP393. Koda’s track in 2022.
Maggie – Maggie first got her tags in 2011, and was adopted in 2019 by Annabelle Orme for Tim Degraff (nesting summary). She nested in 2022 on 15 April. Tag: UUK911.
Winona – This leatherback was adopted by the students in Winona State University’s St. Croix field course in 2018. We tracked Winona in 2020 and she returned to see us this year on 22 April, looking good! Her 2018 nesting summary is here. Tag: SPP421. Winona’s 2022 track.
Dawn – Adopted in 2018 by Caretta Nature Tours, Dawn returned this year on 24 April but did not nest. She was originally tagged on Vieques. Tag: VOS0050.
Henrietta – Adopted by Sharon Faulkner for young friend Henry. Henrietta was found on the morning of 26 April. Tag: SP018.
Molly Be* – Adopted by the Lombard Smith family for Marsha and named by Marsha 🙂 The first time we saw Molly Be was 3 May. She was originally tagged in Añasco, Puerto Rico in 2015. Tag: 12 ❤️ Track Molly Be.
Trouble 3* – Adopted by Marleen and Scott Karns for their three grandchildren! Trouble’s first nest was on 8 April, and she was spotted on morning patrol! Tag: SPP051. Track Trouble 3.
Martha* – Adopted and named by Sean Furniss in honor of his wife, Martha. Thanks Sean, for all your hard work on behalf of Sandy Point. Martha was first seen nesting on 26 April. Tag: SPP081. Track Martha.
Ginger – Returning this year on 11 May, Ginger did not nest. She was adopted by Ellen and Tony Drago. She first nested at Sandy Point in 2017 and was adopted then!
Rylee – Adopted by Melanie Clark for Jay Clark. Rylee first nested at Sandy Point in 2016. Tag: SPP372.
Adopt and name your turtle. You can also give an adoption as a gift and let the recipient choose a name. We will be in touch with you as soon as the adoption is made to follow up.
The St. Croix Sea Turtle Project is sponsored by The Ocean Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, in cooperation with US Fish and Wildlife Service at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
The St. Croix Sea Turtle Project 