Turtles About Town is a Galveston Island community based project that showcases the conservation efforts of Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN). TIRN is a leading advocate for the world’s ocean and marine wildlife and works with residents and visitors of Galveston Island to ensure protection of sea turtles and a broad defense of the ocean habitat. 

 This year, TIRN is celebrating 35 years of local efforts to safeguard sea turtles and engage the public in conservation efforts through education, outreach, reduction of single-use plastic, classroom visits, and other habitat protection efforts. Turtles About Town is the most evident of these efforts. 

 Amy Owens, the owner of Clay Cup Studio on Postoffice Street, has joined with TIRN to sponsor and advertise the project. One of the first turtles to appear was in front of her business. 

 Turtles About Town is a public art project that brings together artists, sponsors, and local businesses for the common goal of enriching the community with colorfully arrayed fiberglass sea turtles.

 Fiberglass public art projects got their start in 1999 with Chicago’s Cows on Parade. Multiple municipalities and organizations have followed Chicago’s example and now Galveston has its own public art in the shape of sea turtles located in - to date - 61 locations throughout the island. 

 Visiting the Turtles About Town statues is a fun, free, and safe outdoor activity the entire family will enjoy. Below are 12 turtles that are located throughout Galveston’s downtown and East End.

 Visit the Turtles about Town sea turtles, take a “selfie” and be sure to tag Turtle Island Restoration Network in your images to be entered in a raffle for turtle swag that includes a TIRN tote bag, TIRN T-shirt, TIRN hat, and TIRN reusable metal straw with cleaning brush. You will also receive a complimentary yearly subscription to Galveston Monthly. 

 

 Participants must post on Facebook and Instagram with hashtags #TurtlesAboutTown and @tirn.gulf.For a complete list of all Turtle About Town sea turtles, visit www.visitgalveston.com/blog/turtles-about-town.