The New York Marine Rescue Center, Cannon U.S.A. Inc. and Northwell’s Cohen Children’s partnered up to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day.
With the support of Cannon, The New York Marine Rescue Center, or NYMRC, is furthering its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and protect marine life through education, so they visited the Seacrest Studios at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park on June 16.
Patients and hospital staff attended an interactive session where NYMRC team members shared insights about marine life, the importance of conservation and the inspiring stories of sea turtles and seals rehabilitated through Canon’s support.
The event included a lecture on sea turtle biology, the rescue and rehabilitation process, and a hands-on display of turtle artifacts, photos and videos to deepen the educational experience. 10 children were present in the studio for the activity and others participated remotely from their hospital rooms.
The event included a mock turtle stranding demonstration using a plush sea turtle and real rescue equipment, which gave attendees a chance to witness how NYMRC responds to stranded turtles in the wild. Additionally, sea turtle-themed craft kits were distributed to children both in the studio and throughout the hospital, providing a creative and tactile way to reinforce the lessons.
“Our visit to the Seacrest Studios at Cohen Children’s Medical Center was a reminder that education and healing can go hand-in-hand,” said Maxine Montello, executive director of NYMRC. “Seeing the smiles on those kids’ faces as they learned about the animals we care for—it was a truly special way to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day.”
Since 1996, NYMRC has given a second chance to over 3,900 marine animals, including 119 sea turtles, 762 seals, and 7 cetaceans.
NYMRC and Canon are also working with local school districts to deliver immersive marine science education. In a recent collaboration with William Floyd Middle School, students had the unique opportunity to follow the rehabilitation journey of a rescued seal named Floyd.
Students, their families, teachers, and community members gathered to witness Floyd’s release back into the ocean, along with two other rehabilitated seals, after months of care and healing.
Through this experience, students not only learned about NYMRC’s mission and the science behind marine animal rehabilitation, but also received education on what to do if they encounter a stranded seal or cold-stunned sea turtle along New York’s shores.
As part of the program, students also participate in expert-led marine science sessions, field training, and beach cleanups and write personal stories about the marine animals they follow. Cannon prints and sells the books, all proceeds of which support NYMRC’s ongoing conservation efforts.
“Canon’s sponsorship of NYMRC allows us to do more than just rescue—it lets us educate, inspire, and instill a passion for marine conservation in young minds,” said Montello. “The story of Floyd brought the classroom to life, showing students the real impact of conservation work in their own community.”
