The Turtlesinger Brings Music & Environmental Awareness to Kids

When you have a passion for singing and a passion for turtles, what do you do? Naturally, you sing about turtles!

Seven years, Karen and Charlie Buckley of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, took Karen's two passions and created Turtlesinger, Inc., a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation that presents entertaining environmental programs. They have conducted over 360 programs for organizations, schools, festivals, churches, camps, senior centers, fundraising events, libraries, colleges, and even birthday parties.

Karen has more than just a love of singing and turtles. She has an extensive background in both reptile work and music. She holds a Bachelors of Music degree in vocal performance and a Masters of Music from Temple University. At Turtlesinger shows, Karen sings some of the over 60 songs in all kinds of styles that she has composed about turtles. Charlie is also a musician.

Karen's turtle experiences come from working in the New York's Bronx Zoo Reptile House and also as a reptile keeper at the reptile house in the Cape May County Zoo in New Jersey.

Licensed by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Karen and Charlie have reached 46,000 people with their entertaining and educational shows, raising environmental awareness.

Of course, the real stars of the show are Bart, Gracie, Spike and Rocky, the turtles themselves, who have been featured on TV, in The New York Times and the New York Daily News. Rocky has an unusual outgoing personality, and has been a wonderful "therapy turtle" at nursing homes. The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association recently inducted Rocky into their Animal Hall of Fame. "Rocky is the most outgoing reptile I have seen in 20 years of practice!" notes Dr. Eric Banks of the Cumberland County Veterinary Hospital.

To learn more about the Turtlesinger's programs, call 609-553-5353 and visit their Web site: www.turtlesinger.com.