Volunteer Spotlight: VENUS WOLFE

By Megan Maynard

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight is a self-proclaimed “Earth hippy spirit country girl living in the city.” Venus Wolfe moved to Brevard County in 1993 but only recently became a member of STPS after learning of the organization. Wolfe was born at Mound Park Hospital (known currently as Bayfront Medical), and she lived in Pinellas County until relocating here.

Professionally, she has been a registered medical assistant since 1999 after graduating from Keiser University. Several years ago, she met a physician assistant at work who was an STPS member/volunteer that spoke often about sea turtles and ways to better the environment. This past September, Wolfe was able to witness a sea turtle release after the Turtle Krawl race and decided that day she would become a member.

Anyone who has met Venus knows she is a nature lover. She enjoys kayaking and hiking, and she has hiked 10 trails of the Smoky Mountains. Additionally, she hiked Tallulah Falls in Georgia and many trails in Florida. One day she hopes to achieve her bucket list wish of hiking the Florida Trail and Appalachian Trail.

As her latest hobby, she began protecting the Monarch butterfly; she has planted a microcosm devoted to butterfly and bee life. When the weather permits, she has her camera in hand (yes, a real camera, not a cell phone) to capture nature’s beauty. If she is unable to be outdoors, you will find her reading a good book (mostly historical nonfiction). Oh yes, did she mention she is a Civil War re-enactor?

Venus is admittedly not “tech savvy” and yet said it was easy to sign up and become a member. She is eager to dig her heels in and get experience with night walks, nesting surveys, STERP, communications, and beach cleanup to see what sticks. Having had only a couple of experiences with sea turtles, she looks forward to the adventure ahead. Recently she enrolled in Turtle Talk 101 and learned that out of seven different species of sea turtles, all but two use our beaches for nesting. Also, she learned sea turtles don’t “cry” but often have that appearance since they excrete excess salt as tears. She is looking forward to learning even more about sea turtles.