Carole Allen

Location of Interview
Collection Name

South Texas Stories

Description

South Texas Stories is an ongoing oral/aural history project and digital archive that seeks to preserve and share the rich history and heritage of Corpus Christi and the surrounding area.  For more information, visit the homepage for South Texas Stories.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
01-30-2017
Principal Investigator
Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Carole Allen grew up in Illinois and developed a fascination with turtles at a young age. She collected turtle items and married a geologist, moving to Houston. In the early 1980s, she became involved with sea turtle conservation after learning about the National Marine Fisheries Service's hatchling program in Galveston. She joined the HEART (Hatchling Emergency Assurance and Release Team) project, which aimed to raise awareness and funds for sea turtle conservation. Carole's involvement in the project included lobbying for support, raising money for turtle food, and purchasing necessary equipment for the Galveston lab. Her efforts led to the establishment of over 200 HEART Councils across the United States and even one in Saudi Arabia. Carole's work extended beyond raising funds, as she also focused on educating children about sea turtle conservation. She emphasized the importance of public awareness and education in achieving legislative goals, particularly in advocating for turtle excluders on shrimp boats. Carole's dedication to sea turtle conservation involved collaborating with various organizations, scientists, and educators, including the Sierra Club and Dr. Dave Owens at A&M College Station. Despite facing opposition from the shrimp industry, Carole remained committed to her cause, testifying, writing letters, and mobilizing schoolchildren and nature clubs to support sea turtle conservation. Her work also involved media outreach and public speaking engagements, including attending turtle releases and giving speeches. Carole's advocacy for sea turtle conservation spanned several decades, and she continued her efforts as a volunteer until 2002. Her work was recognized and supported by various individuals and organizations, contributing to the broader awareness and protection of endangered sea turtles.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Carole Allen provides a comprehensive account of her involvement in sea turtle conservation, spanning from her early fascination with turtles in Illinois to her dedicated efforts in Houston. Carole discusses her childhood interest in turtles, her collection of turtle items, and her marriage to a geologist, which led to her move to Houston. The interview delves into her introduction to the National Marine Fisheries Service's sea turtle hatchling program in Galveston in the early 1980s and her subsequent involvement with the HEART (Hatchling Emergency Assurance and Release Team) project. Carole details her activities within the HEART project, including fundraising, lobbying for legislative support, and purchasing essential equipment for the Galveston lab. She emphasizes the importance of public awareness and education in achieving legislative goals, particularly in advocating for turtle excluders on shrimp boats. The interview also covers Carole's collaboration with various organizations, scientists, and educators, as well as her media outreach and public speaking engagements. Furthermore, Carole recounts her experiences facing opposition from the shrimp industry, including instances of verbal confrontation and unpleasant calls. She highlights the challenges she encountered in advocating for sea turtle conservation and the perseverance required to overcome opposition. The interview concludes with Carole's reflections on the importance of public engagement and advocacy for marine life and natural resources, emphasizing the need for individuals to speak up and ask questions, particularly in the context of changing political leadership. Overall, the interview provides a detailed and firsthand account of Carole Allen's lifelong dedication to sea turtle conservation, encompassing her personal experiences, advocacy efforts, and the broader impact of her work on the protection of endangered sea turtles.


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