Ila's Legacy Continues

New Tribute To Ila

In the autumn of 2009, the new South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center opened at which time a stunning memorial to Ila Loetscher was unveiled to the public. Commissioned by the town of South Padre Island, the memorial was designed with participation from The Turtle Lady Legacy and represents a beautiful tribute to Ila.
The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center 2009
The entrance to the Birding and Nature Center in South Padre Island, Texas
Mary Ann Tous stands next to the memorial to Ila Loetscher inside the Birding and Nature Center of South Padre Island
Mary Ann Tous stands beside the Ila memorial
Turtle Lady Legacy Display of Ila Items at the Birding and Nature Center in South Padre Island
The Turtle Lady Legacy has loaned several items from the Ila Loetscher archives for display near the memorial

Iowa Student Promotes Awareness

During the summer of 2009, The Turtle Lady Legacy met an extraordinary young lady who, though just in the sixth grade, is already an active sea turtle conservationist.

Alynn spreads the word that sea turtles need
to be protected because they are endangered and she also explains how they make nests on the beach and how gentle they are. In fact, that is what she likes most about the turtles: how curious and gentle and aware they are.

Iowa student Alynn promotes awareness whenever possible about sea turtles
Alynn's favorite subjects in school are Zoology and Language Arts
Alynn with Jerri at Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island 2009
Alynn stands in front of Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island in 2009    Link to next page with more news about the Turtle Lady Legacy
Photos of Alynn courtesy of Megan Kruse