VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Anita Ziegner

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society’s Volunteer Spotlight this month highlights Anita Ziegner.

Anita joined STPS in 2016 after moving to Florida from her home in Boston, Massachusetts. With some initial research before moving, she found that Brevard County was central territory for nesting sea turtles. Given her allergies to furrier animals, she thought sea turtles were right up her alley.

Initially, Anita volunteered for a few STPS events, but when the group was searching for a web administrator, she jumped at the chance. Given her expertise in software development, it was a perfect fit. She is currently teaching C++ and C# programming online and part time while she cares at home for her mother, who has dementia and cancer.

Despite her busy schedule, she has managed to merge the organization’s website to a new hosting platform. Anita says it is rewarding for her to apply her talents toward a great cause. She goes on to say that as a member, you are in control of your schedule and can work according to your talents and availability. On a larger scope, it forces you to look outside of your daily life at the challenges facing sea turtles and the human impact on their environment.

At this point, Anita is thrilled with the website’s progress and looks forward to continuing her work. If you have any interest, stop by the Turtle House and register to attend Turtle 101 to learn more about STPS and volunteering with the group. Besides the rewards of helping sea turtles survive, the rewards of friendships and fun inherently come with membership.