Teen helps turtle conservation efforts

The teen is also the founder of non-profit organization Turtle Inc.

By Katie Johns
| 11:20 a.m. August 10, 2016

Lexi Mariash presents checks to Mote and Easter Seals employees. Through her second annual mini golf tournament Mariash raised $14,000 which she split between the organizations.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

On July 27, Turtle Inc. founder Lexi Mariash, 13, donated $6,898 to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium to help sea turtle conservation efforts.

The money was raised at Mariash’s second mini golf tournament May 14. The event raised $14,000. The other half of the money went to Easter Seals of Southwest Florida.

Mariash has been passionate about turtles since she was young, and Turtle Inc. is about combining that love with sea turtle conservation awareness.

“When I was younger, I went to a museum and got a sea-turtle stuffed animal, and after that, I was just in love with turtles, and after researching, I saw they were endangered and wanted to help,” she said.