Three months after the Coastal Stewards closed its turtle rehabilitation center at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, the group has announced they are officially dissolving.
According to a press release from the group, “Following a comprehensive review of strategic priorities and ongoing financial challenges over the past few months, the Board of Trustees made the difficult decision to dissolve the nonprofit.”
About 75% of the remaining donations that the group had will go to the George Snow Scholarship Fund, which will create the Coastal Stewards Scholarship Endowment. The rest of the money will be divvied up between Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Marine Animal Rescue Society in Miami, and the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon.
When the rehab center closed, so too did the gift shop at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Any remaining merchandise will be donated to Sandoway Nature Center in Delray Beach and Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach.
Thirteen sea turtles were still under the care of the Coastal Stewards when the rehab center closed, and they were relocated to other facilities under the guidance of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Gumbo Limbo is still home to three full-time sea turtle residents: Morgan, Lefty and Lady McNubbins.
“While this decision is bittersweet, the Trustees felt strongly that the best way to honor our history and preserve our mission was through a lasting legacy,” explained Board of Trustees Member Shivani Gupta. “These gifts to the George Snow Scholarship Fund and several of our valued nonprofit partners will ensure that commitment lives on.”
The Coastal Stewards nonprofit has been around in some form since 1981, but for 15 years it has focused on “education, research and…sea turtle rehabilitation.” In 2023, they expanded its mission to also care for dolphins, manatees and whales. In 2024, the group received a permit to restart and manage the sea turtle rehabilitation center at Gumbo Limbo.
Thankfully, it was announced this week that a new sea turtle rehabilitation center has opened at the Palm Beach Zoo, in partnership with Sea Turtle Care & Conservation Specialists—formed by two former members of the Coastal Stewards. Already, about 100 new hatchlings are being cared for there.
