SDHS Monthly Meeting - February 2026

SDHS February Meeting – Biology and Conservation of California Sea Turtles

Date & Time: Tuesday, February 17th, 7:00 PM

Location: Balboa Park – Casa del Prado, Room 104 San Diego, CA

Guest Speaker

Dr. Jeffrey Seminoff

Leader, Marine Turtle Ecology & Assessment Program

NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (San Diego)

Talk Title

Biology and Conservation of the Sea Turtles of California

About the Speaker

Dr. Jeffrey Seminoff is a leading sea turtle researcher with NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center and has been involved in Pacific sea turtle research and conservation since 1992. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and previously worked at the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research before joining NOAA in 2002. Dr. Seminoff is a Past President of the International Sea Turtle Society, a former U.S. delegate to the Inter-American Convention for Sea Turtles, and has played a key role in IUCN Red List and Endangered Species Act assessments. He has authored over 250 scientific publications and two books, and his work focuses on sea turtle ecology, conservation, and reducing fisheries bycatch across the eastern Pacific.

Talk Overview

Join Dr. Seminoff for an engaging presentation on the ecology and conservation of California’s sea turtles. Blending natural history stories with insights from decades of field research, this talk will explore how sea turtles are faring in California waters and worldwide. Attendees will learn about both the successes and challenges facing sea turtle populations, along with ongoing management and conservation efforts aimed at protecting these iconic marine reptiles in our ocean backyard.

What You’ll Learn

Sea turtle species found in California and their natural history

Recent research findings from California and the eastern Pacific

Conservation successes and ongoing threats

How management and research are shaping the future of sea turtles

Parking Notice

Balboa Park parking is now an issue as they are charging. If you have a zoo membership you can park in the zoo lot for free. Please see their parking details and update your car for this option. 

General Information

Open to members, guests, students, families, and the public

Kids are welcome with a supervising adult

This meeting is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge sea turtle research happening right here in San Diego and beyond.