Volunteer Spotlight: Charlotte and Dennis Lawyer

Editor’s Note: This article also appears in the STPS 2025 Spring Edition Turtle Times Newsletter (see page 18).

After several vacations to Florida searching for the best place to retire, Dennis and Charlotte picked Cocoa Beach. They really love the area and because they’re “passionate about sea turtles,” it’s perfect. So, in 2021, they sold their house in York, Pennsylvania and moved to the Sunshine State along with their son. And one of the first things they did (even before they closed on their beach condo) was to become members of STPS.

Both Dennis and Charlotte love to travel and visit Port Charlotte frequently in their motor home. So, it’s no surprise that they volunteer for the Transport team. One of their favorite trips earlier this year was down to Riviera Beach. They transported some post-hatchlings and two juvenile Kemp’s ridleys for release by boat offshore (see photos below). The Kemp’s ridleys were so excited to go home they thought they would jump out of their container! Their group of sea turtles were joined with several others brought by other volunteer organizations, and over 60 were released that day. For both Charlotte and Dennis, it’s very rewarding to help save these endangered animals.

They also volunteer for Nesting Surveys, STERP, Community Events, and helped with the STPS Online Silent Auction last year. Dennis really enjoys transports because he’s “directly helping sea turtles,” and Charlotte loves educating people at events. “There are lots of simple things that people can do that can really make a difference,” she says. They also enjoy visiting different sea turtle rehabilitation facilities around Florida, meeting other volunteers and members, going to our monthly meetings to hear the guest speakers, and they can’t wait for Nesting Surveys to start in April.

In May, Charlotte and Dennis are going on vacation to the Galápagos Islands to celebrate their 40^th anniversary. With an abundance of wildlife including lots of sea turtles in the Galápagos, they’re sure to have an amazing trip. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!