JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University, in partnership with Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol, launches a new program aimed at protecting and conserving sea turtles and their coastal habitats.
The program, launched on World Sea Turtle Day, is designed to protect sea turtles through collaborative research, education and community engagement, according to a release.
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“This is a homecoming for me,” said Lucas Meers, Director of Jacksonville University’s Sea Turtle Program. “I had such an impactful experience as a student at JU, and I attribute a lot of my success to the skills I learned and relationships I made here.”
According to a release, Meers began his conservation journey as a student at Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute, joining the Turtle Patrol as a volunteer after graduation.
Over a decade, he became deeply involved in marine conservation, including a leadership role at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where he helped develop its first wildlife conservation strategy. In 2021, Meers became the lead coordinator of the Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol.
“This program is about more than research and data collection — it’s about empowering students and our community to protect a vital part of Florida’s ecosystem, he said. “There are so many exciting opportunities to expand our work and better understand sea turtles and how our decisions impact their populations and habitats.”