By Heather Bennett Eye
SoWal Life and Pecan Jacks are teaming up again to continue promoting conservation and sharing how we can keep sea turtles and other sea life safe by keeping our beaches #cleandarkflat.
If you’ve read any of the Life Media publications, South Walton Life, Destin Life, PCB Life, Bay Life, and now Fort Walton Life, you’ve probably noticed our sea turtle logo. That logo came to life in the form of Theodora “Theo” of South Walton, who represents all the endangered sea turtles.
Theo’s mission has always been to raise sea turtle awareness, and donations for local organizations like Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles (FOSWST). They are an all-volunteer organization started in 2015 dedicated to promoting sea turtle conservation through awareness and education. They locate and monitor sea turtle nests and oversee the protection of their hatchlings, along with educating visitors about the delicate ecosystem, and the necessity of keeping our beaches #cleandarkflat and what it means to #leavenotrace.
Joining Theo in her mission, is Peter the Pelican, who is introduced in the new kids coloring book, “Theo and Peter’s Pollution Solution,” written by Melanie Hawkins with illustrations by Bethany Anderson, and published by South Walton Life. In the coloring book, Theo and Peter teach the importance of conservation while embarking on a fun adventure.
Readers learn about obstacles that turtles and other sea life must currently navigate, and what we can do to keep our beaches clean. From the moment Theo hatches on the beach and meets Peter for the very first time, the two form an unlikely friendship built on kindness and teamwork. When Theo gets stuck in a hole left behind by a beach umbrella, Peter pushes and pulls until she’s free. Later, out in the open ocean, it’s Theo’s turn to return the favor, chewing through tangled trash and debris to free Peter. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together.
You can buy Theo of South Walton sea turtle plush toys (stuffy), key chains, Christmas ornaments, and a children’s book about her adventures from participating partners, like Pecan Jack’s. The coloring book and Peter the Pelican stuffy are also now available for purchase at all three Pecan Jacks locations. When you purchase a Theo or Peter the Pelican stuffy at Pecan Jack’s, you will receive a free kid’s ice cream.
Pecan Jacks
Corner of Gulf Place and Ed Waline: 4368 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Grayton Beach: 32 E County Hwy 30A, Unit 105, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Seagrove Beach: 4771 E County Hwy 30A, A102, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
It’s up to us to not only help Theo and Peter in their mission, but to have a mission of our own to respect and preserve sea life in our precious ecosystem along The Emerald Coast. Please support SoWal Life, Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles, Pecan Jacks and other local organizations that help us continue to spread the important message of conservation and keeping the beaches #cleandarkflat.
