JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to Governor Perdue and the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia residents who want to show their support for conservation on Jekyll Island and the Georgia Coast can soon purchase a specialty automobile license plate featuring the Georgia Sea Turtle Center logo.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will receive funds disbursed through the Nongame Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Habitat Acquisition Fund under Georgia's Specialty License Plate revenue-sharing program.
"The sea turtle license plate is already generating a lot of talk," said Dr. Bill Irwin, Director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. "The revenue raised by the sale of these special car tags will help us continue the care of sick and injured sea turtles, along with research and education projects."
In addition to raising needed funds, the new specialty license plates will also raise awareness of the Center and its important work. The barrier islands along the Georgia coast are important nesting areas for primarily loggerhead sea turtles, but the Georgia Sea Turtle Center has quickly become a world-renowned facility that has engaged in many issues affecting the species.
"This is a new and easy way to help conservation efforts on the coast," said Rep. Jerry Keen (R - St. Simons Island). "Georgians love to show their support in outward ways. Given the success of a similar program in Florida, we are expecting this tag to be very popular."
The new Georgia Sea Turtle Center specialty license plate is not yet available at County tag offices, but reservations forms can be submitted by visiting georgiaseaturtlecenter.org .
About the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is located in Jekyll Island, Ga.'s Historic Landmark District on the site of the original 1903 Power Plant building. The ambitious, $3 million center -- offering an outstanding, museum-style learning experience and a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center and veterinary clinic -- is the first of its kind in Georgia, and has won two prestigious awards for Excellence in Preservation. The Center officially opened in June 2007 and has had over 90,000 visitors including thousands of Georgia school children. For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and related programs, visit www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org .
About Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is a barrier island on Georgia's coast -- midway between Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. Accessible by car just minutes from I-95, Jekyll Island offers a variety of amenities, including 10 miles of beach, four golf courses, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, a water park, tennis center and an array of lodging options including hotels, cottages and campgrounds. Owned by the State of Georgia, and managed by the Jekyll Island State Park Authority, Jekyll Island has had development limited to just 35 percent of its available land area. This unique aspect of Jekyll Island serves to preserve the critical barrier island ecosystem, as well as provides guests with a unique escape from the crowds and complications of other beach resort destinations. Please visit www.jekyllisland.com for more information or call 1-877-4JEKYLL.