Through collaboration with Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK), we have developed a Senior Sea Turtle Conservation Biologist position for the ACCSTR that is funded for at least 5 years through a contract with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Following an international search, we have hired Dr. Blair Witherington to fill this position. Blair was one of Karen Bjorndal’s first graduate students, received his PhD in 1992 and has spent over 20 years as a research biologist with the Florida Marine Research Institute. He will be in charge of Disney’s sea turtle conservation program and will join the conservation research team at ACCSTR.