www.SoCalSeaTurtles.org

Who We Are: The People Behind SoCal Sea Turtles

Founder and Executive Director:
Sabrina Mashburn, MAS, MSEd.

Sabrina has been a life-long lover of reptiles and the ocean, so sea turtles were a natural fit right from the start. After encountering these fascinating marine reptiles at the NY Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Center (formerly known as the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation) in her home state of New York, as well as in the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Galapagos, and in Madagascar, she decided to make sea turtle science and conservation her career.

As the Founder and Executive Director of SoCal Sea Turtles Inc., Sabrina's main areas of focus are communicating with the public through in-person and online lectures, classes, events, and social media, as well as designing and developing educational programs, curricula, materials, and interactive games and exhibits for SoCal Sea Turtles and partner organizations including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Navy, and other local non-profits.

Sabrina moved to San Diego to attend UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 2015. As part of her master's research, she surveyed hundreds of boaters, anglers, and marine sports enthusiasts about their knowledge of sea turtles and their conservation. The results of her survey showed that most recreational boaters and anglers did not know there were sea turtles in Southern California at all! Commercial boaters and anglers had more awareness of local sea turtles, but even they did not know that sea turtles can be found in nearly all of California's nearshore and offshore waters year-round. Sabrina began giving in-person presentations, designing, and distributing outreach and educational materials to boaters, anglers and the general public in 2016, and she hasn't stopped!

Sabrina is a Certified Biology Teacher (grades 7-12) in both New York and California. She holds a bachelor's degree in Art History from Skidmore College ('06), as well as masters' degrees in Secondary Science Education (CUNY Lehman, '12), and Marine Biodiversity & Conservation (UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography, '16). 

If you are interested in having Sabrina speak to your group in-person or online, or if you would like to collaborate with Sabrina on any S.T.E.A.M. projects or materials design for students and adults ages 14+, please email her directly by clicking on the green button below!
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​Sabrina with a green sea turtle in San Diego Bay. Photo: NOAA NMFS, Permit #16803
Sabrina participating in a radiated tortoise survey in Madagascar. Photo: WWF Madagascar
Sabrina assisting the team from NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center with green sea turtle monitoring in San Diego Bay. Photo Credit: Ralph Pace/NMFS Permit #16803
SoCal Sea Turtles, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity, which means that all donations to SCST of $25 or more are deductible from the donor's federal income taxes. To make a donation to help protect the West Coast's sea turtles, please click on the donation buttons below.
​EIN: 86-3610124. ​
Donations to SoCal Sea Turtles can also be made by check mailed to:​

SoCal Sea Turtles, Inc.
7770 Regents Rd. Ste. 113, #167
San Diego, CA 92122

If you would like your donation to be used towards a specific project, please write the name of the project in the "notes" or "memo" line of your check.