Volunteer Spotlight: Sherry Martin
Editor’s Note: This article also appears in the STPS 2026 Spring Edition Turtle Times Newsletter (see page 15).
Her passion for sea turtles began with a chance encounter. One night, after an outing with friends at Lou’s Blues, Sherry took a stroll on Canova Beach. Under the soft moonlight, she saw a large leatherback female digging her nest. She’d never seen a leatherback and was completely astounded. “That turtle was the size of a Volkswagen Beetle!” The experience had such a profound effect on her that she knew that she wanted to volunteer to help sea turtles during her retirement.
When Sherry commits to something, she’s all in! In 2020, after she retired, she joined STPS and currently volunteers for Community Events, Education, Strandings, Transports, the Turtle Krawl 5K, and has signed up for Nest Survey training this year. In addition, she volunteers for Stella Maris doing night walks, nest digs and community events, plus she does nest digs and events for the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC). Check out these photos of Sherry rescuing sea turtles and participating in numerous STPS events.
nest. All activities conducted under Florida FWC Marine Turtle Permit. Top Row, Right:
Sherry rescues a juvenile green. Middle Row, Left: Sherry and friend Lorraine at Honey
Bee Day (August 2024). Middle Row, Center: Robin, Sherry & Louise at an Earth Day
Celebration at Kennedy Space Center (April 2024). Middle Row, Right: Sherry at the
2025 Turtle Krawl 5K (Photo by Cindy Lang). Bottom Row, Left: Sherry, Cyndi,
Charlotte & Dennis at Turkey Creek Day (April 2024). Bottom Row, Right: Ashley,
Lauren & Sherry at Florida Wildlife Hospital’s “Hoot in the Park” (November 2023).
As a volunteer, Sherry’s a complete natural. Her warm smile, soft Southern accent, and friendly, outgoing nature make it so easy to talk to her. No wonder educating the public about sea turtles is one of her favorite things to do. Always curious, she also loves learning new things about sea turtles from other volunteers like Cyndi Stinson, Roger Pszonowsky, Linda Rutland and Jerry Lemon.
Born in Virginia, Sherry grew up in North Carolina. After high school, she joined the Army, was a medic in the National Guard, and then went into civil service. When she retired, she managed Air Force contracts for Department of Defense Intelligence.
Her extensive work background and experience volunteering for three different sea turtle organizations give Sherry valuable insights on how to get a complex job done efficiently. She has high praise for the STPS Stranding & Salvage program and how it’s managed. During last year’s STERP event in October, a team lead was assigned to a group of trained volunteers to cover a specific search zone, and each lead reported their team’s findings to Stranding & Salvage Permit Holder Cyndi Stinson. This new process got a big “thumbs up” of approval from Sherry. During the STERP event, Sherry transported rescued wash-backs to a rehab facility for treatment. Watch this News 6 Orlando report to see her and other STPS volunteers in action: “Baby Sea Turtle Rescue” (October 8, 2025).
Sherry’s also very active at her church First Baptist of Melbourne. A trained chef, she cooks Wednesday Night Supper for them each week.
With such a busy social life, it’s no surprise that Sherry’s blessed with many friends in STPS, Stella Maris, STC and her church. Plus, her best friend of 40 years lives here.
What’s Sherry’s advice for new volunteers? “Jump right in and do what you love! It will be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do in your life.”
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