“Turtle Trails of the Panhandle” is a public art and conservation initiative designed to place custom sea turtle-themed statues throughout key communities along Florida’s Panhandle.
- Location: Pensacola to Apalachicola, with stops in Destin, Panama City Beach, Cape San Blas, and St. George Island.
- Concept: Curated travel itineraries across Florida’s Gulf Coast featuring themed events, sea turtle conservation, and immersive coastal experiences.
- Mission: Promote eco-conscious travel through themed cultural engagement, supporting sea turtle preservation and local tourism economies.
Project Elements
- 30–40 Sea Turtle Statues, placed in public spaces across towns from Pensacola to Apalachicola.
- Artists’ Call-to-Design, open to local and regional artists.
- Educational Plaques with QR codes linking to Gulfarium content or a custom-built microsite.
- Themed Trail Map & Passport Program to encourage visitation of multiple locations.
- Mobile App or Website with map, artist bios, conservation facts, and engagement activities.
Each statue will serve as a unique piece of art and an educational tool to:
- Create an eco-tourism trail that attracts visitors to multiple towns.
- Promote public awareness of sea turtle conservation across coastal communities.
- Support local artists and encourage community participation through public art.
- Generate funding for rehabilitation programs and conservation partners, and
- Develop educational signage and digital content that informs and inspires.
Crak & Quack Land Cruises is a luxury land-based travel experience designed for players of Mahjong (“Crak” from the Crak suit) and Bridge (“Quack” referring to Queens and Jacks-heavy hands). Participants enjoy structured gameplay, social events, and cultural excursions while supporting sea turtle awareness through the Pannhandle Turtle Trails Initiative.
Activities
- Sea Turtle Trail guided tour (linked to sculpture trail stops).
- Theme based tournaments, social games, and workshops.
- Beachside wellness, yoga, wine tastings, cooking classes.
3/6-Night Mahjong & Bridge Adventures at the Beach
- 3 or 6 night travel packages with local transportation, lodging, meals, and event fees.
- Package pricing per guest from $375/night includes double occupancy beach-front room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner with house wines.
- Offer upgrade options for private chef meals or luxury home rentals.
- Custom souvenirs and local dining experiences.
- Optional side trips: eco-kayaking, turtle rescue centers, art walks.
Lodging Partnerships
- Expedia & Hotels.com: Curated hotel blocks near sculpture stops.
- VRBO: Small group lodging options, ideal for private groups.
- Hosted via coastalfoodies.com and/or an Expedia Affiliate White Label site.
- Sponsored events: local businesses or wildlife organizations
Social Media
- Pinterest, Instagram & Facebook using visual storytelling
- Email Campaigns: Targeted newsletters to clubs, eco-travel communities, and women’s travel groups.
- Partner with travel bloggers, art influencers, and conservation advocates.
- Cross-Promotion: Collaborate with local CVBs, Visit Florida, and tourism boards along the Gulf Coast.
Operations Plan
Itinerary Management
- Custom itineraries by destination with downloadable maps and QR codes.
- Local tour guides and conservation partners at each stop.
- Trip coordinator, Theme host, local art/nature guides.
- Booking system integration (e.g., FareHarbor, Bokun)
- QR code access to sculpture maps, VRBO links, and event schedules
Sustainability & Impact
- Donations from each trip go to turtle rescue and conservation nonprofits.
- Work with local artists, restaurants, and eco-guides.