 MEMBER OF THE MONTH
May 2006
Sally R. Murphy
Country: USA
Occupation: Biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Specialty: Conducting applied research, management, population monitoring and being involved in public outreach for all four species of sea turtles in South Carolina (loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley and green sea turtle).
Best part about my job: Being able to set my own priorities, collaborate with other sea turtle biologists to analyze long-term datasets to gain insight into population trends, gain inspiration from the many turtle volunteers and seeing the beautiful South Carolina coast from a small aircraft many, many times.
Biggest challenges I face: Maintaining level funding for our program and staff and all the other “stuff” that goes on in a bureaucracy. Educating the public about the importance of conservation.
The most unusual or exciting thing that's happened to me while working in the field: Being in a helicopter that is vibrating, smells like burning rubber and the pilot puts it into auto-rotation; Helping pull an adult female loggerhead out of the pluff mud with the helicopter (gently, of course); And snorkeling for the first time at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Why I like being a member
of the MTSG: Learning how other cultures interact with sea turtles and sharing ideas to make the network more efficient so that we do not have to “reinvent the wheel”.
Turtle researcher / conservationist I most admire: Col Limpus and Tom Murphy for their creative and inventive minds, tireless field work and unselfish sharing of their knowledge, especially with students.
When I'm not working on turtles I like to: Sit on my screened porch and look out at our marsh creek, garden, cook, read, fuss with my horses and go out in the boat with Tom.
Ten years from now, I hope I will be doing: Still breathing. Playing on the beach with my grandson and teaching him about the coast and all its creatures.
Relevant links to find out more about me and my work: SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program
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