More turtles, more exhibits, more impact: What's next for Surf City's sea turtle rescue center?

Editor's Note: This story is based on reporting originally published by Greater Wilmington Business Journal and has been reformatted for readability.

For many visitors to coastal North Carolina, a trip to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is a must. The Surf City nonprofit has become a beloved destination for anyone interested in sea turtles, wildlife and conservation.

Over the years, the center has grown from a small volunteer-run operation into a regional attraction that welcomes thousands of visitors annually while caring for injured and sick sea turtles.

Now, the organization is looking toward its next chapter, with plans that could expand educational exhibits, create new visitor experiences and further its conservation mission for years to come.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is exploring plans to expand its educational and visitor spaces.
• The details: The organization currently employs six full-time staff members and two part-time employees while continuing to rely heavily on volunteers. The center grew from a 900-square-foot hospital in Topsail Beach to its current 13,000-square-foot facility in Surf City.
• Looking toward the future: A proposed expansion could add new exhibits and educational opportunities for the growing number of visitors each year. 
• The more you know: The nonprofit continues to build on the conservation legacy of founder Jean Beasley and her daughter, Karen Beasley.
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At a glance

• Location: Surf City
• Founded by: Jean Beasley
• Named after: Karen Beasley
• Current staff: Six full-time employees and two part-time employees
• Future plans: Additional staff, expanded exhibits and new educational space
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The legacy of Jean Beasley continues to shape the future of one of the Cape Fear region's most beloved nonprofit organizations.

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City is not only continuing its mission of rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea turtles but is also planning for future growth. Officials say the organization is exploring an expansion that would create additional educational space for visitors while supporting the center's long-term development.

At a celebration of life held in April, about 200 people gathered to remember Jean Beasley, who died in December at age 90.

A legacy built on sea turtle conservation

Jean Beasley founded the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center as a result of the sea turtle work done by her daughter, Karen Beasley, the organization's namesake. Karen Beasley died at age 29 in 1991. According to Executive Director Kathy Zagzebski, Jean's influence extended far beyond sea turtle rescue. "Jean was very much a storyteller and a community builder," Zagzebski said.

People often asked Jean Beasley how she successfully raised money to build the organization."People would ask her what's her secret to raising money to build an organization like this. And she's like, 'I don't do anything; it's the turtles,'" Zagzebski said.

"Well, half of that statement was not true because she was very much an inspiration and because of her character, her drive to build this organization from nothing. But part of that statement is true in that the organization that she built is lasting — and people love turtles here."

Preparing for the future

Jean Beasley began planning for the organization's future years before her death. "Jean had finally decided to retire at the young age of 85," Zagzebski said. "So she was allowed at that point. And in 2020, the organization conducted a national search for an executive director."

Zagzebski, who previously served as executive director of a seal and sea turtle hospital in Massachusetts, was selected for the role. "The organization was 100% volunteer until they brought me in," she said. "We underwent a strategic plan in 2021. Jean was an integral part of that. The organization was transitioning from a founder-led organization to more of a growth and professional organization."

Today, the center includes:

Six full-time employees

• Two part-time employees
• A large volunteer network
• Thousands of annual visitors
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Looking ahead, Zagzebski said the organization plans to continue growing. "We have a gradual plan to add one or two people a year over the next couple of years," she said.

Volunteers remain the heart of the operation

Even as the center expands, volunteers continue to play a critical role.

Volunteers help with:

• Cleaning rehabilitation tanks
• Giving educational tours
• Patrolling local beaches
• Supporting turtle care operations
• Assisting visitors

According to Zagzebski, volunteers remain essential to the organization's day-to-day success.

From humble beginnings to a regional attraction

The center's current facility on Tortuga Lane in Surf City replaced the organization's original hospital in Topsail Beach.

"This hospital was built by Jean when they quickly ran out of space at our original hospital," Zagzebski said.

The growth by the numbers

• Original hospital: Approximately 900 square feet
• Current facility: Approximately 13,000 square feet
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"At the old place, Jean and the volunteers used to set up tables with T-shirts outside to raise money, and people would line up around the block."

Today, visitors regularly stop by to watch turtles receive care and learn more about conservation efforts. "So when Jean designed this place, she naturally included an educational hallway," Zagzebski said.

Why an expansion is being considered

As interest in the center continues to grow, officials say visitors increasingly want to spend more time learning about sea turtles and the rehabilitation process.

Currently:

• About two-thirds of the facility is dedicated to hospital operations.
• The remaining space houses educational exhibits and visitor experiences.

To accommodate growing interest, the organization is exploring plans for an additional building on its front lawn.

Potential future additions include:

• Expanded educational exhibits
• Additional visitor space
• New learning opportunities
• Enhanced guest experiences

"We're really in preliminary phases," Zagzebski said. "Look for a request for proposals in the next year or so."

Looking ahead

While plans remain in the early stages, officials say the goal is to continue expanding educational opportunities while carrying forward the mission and legacy that Jean Beasley spent decades building.

As more visitors discover the center and its work, the organization hopes future improvements will create even more opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with one of coastal North Carolina's most beloved conservation success stories.