Grant: 21-022C
Project Title: C.A.R.E. Chillers for Rehabilitation Habitats
Project Manager: Patrick Berry
Organization: Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Foundation (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $12,989.20
Completion Date: 2021-11-03

Summary: The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Foundation rehabilitates and releases stranded sea turtles along the Gulf Coast of Florida and eastern Alabama. Climate change has significantly increased the temperatures in our area and thus increased the temperatures of the waters pulled from the Gulf of Mexico used to supply the sea turtle rehabilitation pools. It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain sea turtle rehabilitation pool water temperatures within regulation ranges. Over the past year the C.A.R.E. Foundation has renovated the rehabilitation pools. Three additional 12-foot pools have been installed, as well as one 20-foot pool, expanding our existing four 12-foot pool hospital area. The life support system has been replaced and upgraded with new sand filters, heaters, and plumbing for all. Decking has also been replaced and new roof structure will be installed shortly. Through this grant, the C.A.R.E. Foundation will purchase chillers for seven rehabilitation pools in order to more efficiently control the pool habitat temperatures. These chillers will increase the efficiency and success of our sea turtle rehabilitation and release program and sea turtle conservation efforts.

Results: The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Foundation purchased seven AquaCal Topicool Water Chillers on October 22, 2021. Chillers have been installed and are working properly.