The award-winning Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast kicks off season four from the Shipwatch Loft at North Beach with host Jessica Leigh Lebos and superstar guest Chantal Audran, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, to preview major updates.

Chantal highlights new exhibit clusters, including the center’s first cultural exhibit on Gullah Geechee coastal cultures featuring ethnobotany and medicinal plants, plus a maritime knot-tying exhibit incorporating a salvaged yardarm from the ship Barbara Negra.

The conversation also covers a newly arrived octopus (brought in through catch-and-release collection) and a new sea turtle hatchling, alongside upcoming releases. Chantal also shares some recent, wonderful news of her own!

They discuss diamondback terrapin rescue, mortality research on Highway 80, egg recovery and incubation with Georgia Southern, and announce the April 25 Turtle Trot 5K fundraiser supporting Tybee’s sea turtle nesting season and education programs reaching 80,000 visitors annually.

Learn more about the voices and topics in this episode:

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Resources:

Become a MEMBER

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:28 Season Four Guest

01:44 New Exhibit Unveiling

02:20 Gullah Geechee Culture

03:40 Maritime Knot Station

05:52 Octopus Arrival Story

08:02 Sea Turtle Hatchlings

08:44 Chantal New Mom

11:31 Terrapin Season Prep

12:45 Terrapin Rescue Research

15:16 Eggs To Headstart

18:07 Sea Turtle Season

18:58 Turtle Trot Details

22:21 Education Pillar

24:44 Why Our Water Green

26:07 80K Visitors Impact

29:16 Closing Thanks

In the final episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Podcast for 2025, the team reflects on a remarkable year. Host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes curators Sarah Alley and Rachel Cantrell to dive into the highlights from the Marine Science Center, including the much-anticipated Whale Week, turtle nest discoveries, birding adventures, and engaging in necropsies.

They also discuss upcoming plans for a new sea turtle hatchling and the release of Ossie the turtle. With a fun and informative tone, this episode captures the essence of marine conservation and the incredible work being done at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.

Learn more about the voices and topics in this episode:

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Resources:

Become a MEMBER

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:51 Meet the Guests: Sarah Alley and Rachel Cantrell

01:09 Recap of the Year at the Science Center

01:27 Whale Week: Protecting Georgia's Whales

04:20 Shorebird Season on Tybee Island

06:59 Turtle Season: Nesting and Hatching

08:57 Memorable Moments and Challenges

16:26 Westie the Sea Turtle: A Success Story

22:52 Fun and Unexpected Events

23:57 Weather Woes and Bingo Wins

24:17 Rattlesnake Encounters

24:38 Fish Release Adventure

26:44 Graduate School and Coast Guard Duties

27:36 Sea Turtle Lighting Ordinance

31:21 Emergency Management in the Coast Guard

34:18 Master Birders Program

36:57 Necropsies and Conservation Efforts

40:44 New Residents at the Science Center

46:37 Looking Forward to 2026

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes Megan Desrosiers, the founding president and CEO of '100 Miles', a coastal conservation organization dedicated to protecting Georgia's coastline through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

Megan discusses the organization's journey from its inception in 2013 with just two employees to becoming the leading advocacy group for the Georgia coast. Key topics include the success stories of legislative and community-driven conservation efforts, such as the protection of the Okefenokee Swamp and the halt of Spaceport Camden.

Megan sheds light on the challenges and strategies of grassroots mobilization and highlights the importance of community involvement in environmental protection. She also touches on environmental justice issues and the impact of local communities on conservation activities. Megan concludes by encouraging listeners to engage in local government and conservation efforts, emphasizing the power of voting and community participation.

Learn more about the voices and topics in this episode:

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Resources:

Become a MEMBER

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Tybee Island Marine Science Center

00:29 Introducing Megan Desrosiers and 100 Miles

01:24 Founding and Growth of 100 Miles

04:09 Advocacy and Legislative Successes

13:53 The Fight Against Spaceport Camden

22:25 Environmental Justice and Community Involvement

28:11 Personal Background and Passion for Conservation

31:43 Recreation and Conservation on the Georgia Coast

33:18 Get Involved: How You Can Help