Open Daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
May 15, 2025
Come out of your shell this summer at Fernbank to celebrate turtles!
You’ll have a shell of a time at Fernbank this spring and summer! Celebrate World Turtle Day on May 23 with a viewing of Coral Sea or World Sea Turtle Day on June 16 with our newest exhibit, Turtles.
Coral Sea
Opening on May 17, the giant screen film Coral Sea will immerse viewers in the world of green sea turtles around Australia and nearby remote islands of the Pacific Ocean, home to the Great Barrier Reef. Appearing on our four-story giant screen, Coral Sea showcases the vibrant life of the sea through the eyes of locals and conservationists.
Green sea turtles are found throughout the world, nesting in over 80 countries and calling coastal areas of 140 countries home. They are endangered by loss of habitat and climate change, as well as from commercial fishing gear that is left behind in the oceans.
Coral Sea shows the local conservation efforts in the Pacific and how they support the green sea turtles from hatchlings through their adult life to secure a bright future for the species.
Turtles
On June 7, Turtles takes over the special exhibit hall in Fernbank. Featuring a wide variety of turtle species from around the globe — from musk turtles to giant snapping turtles — guests will have the opportunity to learn about the unique characteristics of each species, their habitats and their conservation challenges.
This exhibit will feature live turtle encounters, interactive displays and educational presentations that will allow you to get up close and personal with a variety of turtles and learn their biology and behavior, as well as ways you can help with turtle conservation.
How You Can Help Sea Turtles
Want to help with turtle conservation? Here are a few things you can do, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
- Reduce Ocean Trash: Responsibly dispose of items, such as fishing line, plastic bottles, shopping bags and balloons so they don’t end up in the water.
- Keep Your Distance: Admire turtles from a distance and don’t feed or touch them. Watch for sea turtles if out boating and go slow if you’re in a sea turtle area.
- Protect Habitats: Keep beaches dark at night to keep sea turtles nesting on the beaches safe. Also, remember to remove any obstacles from beaches, such as chairs and umbrellas, and fill in any holes you created.
- Report Turtles in Distress: If you see any endangered sea turtles, contact professionals who can take action.
Check out our calendar of events for exciting things happening this summer at Fernbank, including our Discovery Day event, A Turtles Shell-ebration!
Fernbank is a nonprofit natural history museum, giant screen theater and old-growth forest, and is not affiliated with Fernbank Science Center, which operates as a division of DeKalb County Schools.
