CLEARWATER, Fla. — As sea turtle nesting season gets closer, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is teaching native Spanish speakers the importance of saving the turtles. 

Biologist Yvette Fernandez is teaching the aquarium’s only class in Spanish — called ‘Amigos de las Tortugas,’ or ‘Friends of the Turtles’. 

She came up with the idea after she noticed a lack of bilingual outreach during her day-to-day activities at the aquarium. 

“Seeing how many people come through our doors that needed translation, that needed the information in their language - I saw the need to start creating these types of programs,” Fernandez said. 

Now, it’s the aquarium’s first and only Spanish language program. 

In just a few hours, families learn about the animals’ biology as well as conservation efforts. 

They examine replicas of different sea turtle species and learn to identify what injured turtles look like. 

For the Acevedo family, it was an eye opening experience. 

“There were some things we ignored about sea turtle life but now we know to be more careful about what we see,” said Gamile Acevedo. “I hope this program reaches many more people because it’s so necessary for these little animals.”

Currently, the aquarium is working with the Hispanic Services Council to offer classes to its clients. 

However, it hopes to work with more organizations in the near future so it can continue to spread awareness among Spanish speakers. 

“We can all start from home, so the idea is that everyone that leaves this room can take home the message that I can do something to protect these species,” Fernandez said.