Friends of the ARK

About Friends of the ARK
OUR PURPOSE
Friends of the ARK, Inc. is a non-profit Texas corporation organized exclusively to support the work of the AMOS REHABILITATION KEEP in Port Aransas Texas.

The ARK primarily rehabilitates marine turtles and marine birds from the coastal zone of Mustang Island and St. Joseph Island.
We raise funds for the rescue of injured, sick and abused wildlife that will be rehabilitated, maintained and released back to their natural habitat or other licensed facility.

We also raise public awareness through educational outreach programs.
The Friends of the ARK logo
Kemps Ridley turtle spotted during Turtle Patrol.
Nesting Kemps Ridley turtle spotted on Mustang Island TX
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising supports the operating expenses
of the ARK in Port Aransas.

On May 1, 2006, the Internal Revenue Service determined that our organization is tax exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code and is classified as a public charity. Donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions.

If corporate contributions or grants require tax exempt verification, we can supply a copy of the organization's IRS Determination Letter upon written request.
Sea Turtle eggs in a cooler
Sea Turtle eggs collected by ARK volunteers during Turtle Patrol for transport to Padre Island National Seashore for incubation. They'll be released the day they hatch.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
There is no membership fee and anyone is invited to become a member. You just need to have a love of animals and a desire to improve their life by raising funds to help support the ARK and it’s mission.

For information on upcoming meetings and events, please click News and Updates.
A nesting Kemps Ridley turtle
A nesting Kemps Ridley turtle spotted during the ARK's Turtle Patrol that runs from April 1 to July 15 in Port Aransas
VOLUNTEERING

 To Volunteer with Friends of the ARK, contact Lee Harrison, 361-332-6361. We do fundraising for the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) and provide educational presentations. There is no membership fee or insurance required to fundraise or do public speaking. We just have fun while we support the ARK. We have something going on all the time. You sign up for events when you wish and we meet as needed. We are always wanting new members and new friends!

You can help as often as you wish, and there is no mandatory amount of hours to devote. You need to have at least one of the following qualities: energy, creativity, muscle, logic, common sense or a sense of humor. Two or more of these qualities makes you a life time member.
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Friends of the ARK at work!
To volunteer at the ARK or to be an ARK Turtle Patroller from April 1-July 15, you must have health insurance and complete the Volunteer packet for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

The ARK always needs energetic volunteers to help with the care and feeding of the critters. You need to love critters, be willing to do the less glamorous jobs such as cleaning pens and doing laundry, but you work your way up to feeding the ARK guests.

To volunteer, just call (361) 332-6361. There is no minimum number of hours, but you must be at least 18 years old.
(Click for .PDF form)
A volunteer measures a nesting Kemps Ridley Turtle.
Baby turtles making their way to the Gulf waters.
More About Mustang Island Turtle Patrol
The Turtle Patrol covers Mustang Island or the Padre Island National Seashore from April 1 to mid July each year. To be on the Turtle Patrol, you must attend training in March. The Turtle Patrol volunteers sign up for a day of patrol, riding on a utility vehicle (like a large golf cart) up and down Mustang Island looking for nesting Kemps Ridley turtles. We are pretty flexible, so if you have a conflict on your day, someone on the team will swap days with you.

For more details or to sign up, contact Lee Harrison at 361-332-6361 or email friends@friendsoftheark.org
Tony Amos releasing a Peregrine Hawk.
Contact
Friends of the ARK
P.O. Box 755   Port Aransas, Texas 78373
361-332-6361
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