Last weekend NACK members had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the Riverhead Foundation where they attended a lecture on Sea Turtles and Marine Mammal Strandings.  After the lecture we got a private of tour their rehabilitation center and laboratory area.  Every year the Foundation helps rescue seals, dolphins and sea turtles that are injured or in the case of sea turtles, stranded in our waters by the rapid onset of cold weather.  They also conduct research, often attaching GPS tracking devices on released animals to monitor their activities.

Kayakers are often a position to find animals in distress and the Riverhead Foundation maintains a 24 hour emergency response team for all of Long Island and NYC.  So if you find an animal in distress please contact the Riverhead Foundation at 631 369 9840.  They also point out that sea turtles, which are commonly found at this time of year, may be in such a state of cold shock stunning that they may appear dead.  Their heart rate and respiration slow down severely but they can often be saved if you contact the foundation.

On this Thursday November 17, 2011 the Foundation, in cooperation with the Town of  Hempstead Department of Conservation and Waterways, will present a free seminar on marine mammals and sea turtles. The seminar will also show residents what to do if a seal, dolphin, whale or sea turtle is stranded on the beach.  It will begin at 6PM at the Administration Building on Lido Boulevard in Point Lookout.

Reservations are required by calling the foundation 631 369 9840 or emailing volunteers@riverheadfoundation.org

The Riverhead Foundation is located on the Peconic River in Riverhead adjacent to Atlantis Marine World.