My Journey of Conservation and Fulfillment: Time2Give with Sea Turtles

As a child growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of Colorado, my parents instilled in me a great appreciation for nature, wildlife, and the ecosystems that make up our world. They taught me the value of observing and participating in the great outdoors, a practice that has always soothed my soul and put into perspective my place in the grand scheme of life. Our family's summer travels to the national parks across the United States were not just vacations; they were lessons in the glory and complexity of the natural world.

When my husband and I decided to move to North Padre Island, just outside of Corpus Christi, Texas, I was thrilled to discover that the Padre Island National Seashore was now "in my backyard." This pristine stretch of coastline is home to the Sea Turtle Recovery Program, a cause that quickly captured my heart and spirit.

I still vividly remember the rush of excitement during my first Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchling release at the park. Witnessing those tiny, determined creatures make their way to the ocean was a transformative experience. It was then that I knew I had to become more involved with the park's Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, which focuses on the conservation of five sea turtle species: Kemp's ridley, green, loggerhead, hawksbill, and leatherback-all federally listed as threatened or endangered.

The restoration of the Kemp's ridley population has been a monumental effort, beginning in the 1970s with a bi-national program led by the U.S. National Park Service. The program's success has made Padre Island National Seashore the premier nesting site for these turtles in the U.S. and paved the way for the protection and conservation of four other sea turtle species that nest in the same area. Additionally, the park initiated the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) in Texas, which plays a critical role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing turtles affected by weather, climate, and human interactions.

The importance of this work cannot be overstated. Sea turtles are vital to marine ecosystems, helping to maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, which, in turn, support a diverse array of marine life. It is an honor to represent Cisco in these conservation efforts.

Thanks to Cisco's Time2Give program, which provides 80 hours of paid time off in addition to our regular PTO for volunteering, I have had the incredible opportunity to be directly involved in the release of over 3,000 turtle hatchlings, assist in data collection and research, educate the public about conservation, and spend four hours a week patrolling for nesting turtles during the season. I've also participated in rescue operations for cold-stunned sea turtles in the Laguna Madre following freeze events on the Texas coast.

Among my most memorable experiences are finding my first nesting Kemp's ridley turtle and a "trifecta" hatchling release, where Kemp's ridley, green, and loggerhead hatchlings were all released under a starlit sky. These moments, shared with just a biotech, hundreds of baby turtles, and millions of stars along undeveloped coast line, underscore the beauty and fragility of nature. They serve as powerful reminders of the importance of conservation and the impact we can have as individuals.

Before I embarked on this recent volunteer journey, I was feeling the weight of stress and burnout, struggling to bring my best self to work each day. This experience has reinvigorated me, reminding me that every moment counts. It has had a profound impact on my mental health and happiness, which has, in turn, positively affected my professional and personal life. I am deeply grateful to Cisco for supporting me in this endeavor. Through this give-back opportunity, we are not just changing the world; we are also changing ourselves.

In the end, it's not just about saving sea turtles; it's about saving a piece of ourselves and reconnecting with the natural world that sustains us all. I am humbled, energized, and proud to be part of a company whose purpose is powering an inclusive future for all and encourages its employees to pursue their passions and contribute to their communities. Together, we can make a difference-one turtle, one person, one moment at a time.

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