Where Passion Meets Purpose

Beach Junki began as a sweet nickname, inspired by quiet early mornings spent watching the sunrise and walking the shoreline. It carried joy, but not yet a purpose—until 2013, when a sea turtle in distress crossed that path. Being part of that rescue changed everything. In that moment, a simple name became a calling, igniting a deep commitment to protecting beaches and educating others about marine life.

What started as one meaningful experience grew into years of learning, dedication, and community involvement. With the support of the community, Beach Junki evolved from a personal passion into a growing movement focused on hands-on education, conservation, and stewardship of our coastal environments.

Our beaches needed a voice. Our sea turtles needed advocates. And our community needed hands-on ways to get involved.

In 2020, Beach Junki officially became a nonprofit organization and continues to grow each year. By sharing this journey, Beach Junki hopes to inspire curiosity, foster connection, and empower others to care for our beaches and marine life—ensuring they are protected for generations to come.

Time spent walking the shoreline made one thing clear—there were no educational signs to help beachgoers understand how to protect sea turtles and their habitat. Seeing that need, Beach Junki applied for a grant through the Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate program to create and install sea turtle educational signs at 48 beach access points throughout the city.

What started as a simple idea turned into lasting impact, proving that sometimes it takes a little ole country girl from Hilliard, Florida to make sure sea turtle education finally had a place on the beach.