It was with great sadness that all of us here at the Leatherback Trust learned of the passing of Gordon Moore, a founder of Intel and, with his wife Betty, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The Foundation, and the Moore family, were critical supporters of the Leatherback Trust in the early 2000s, a time when the threat of rampant coastal development threatened the nesting beaches and mangrove swamps of Playa Grande and the nearby estuaries in Costa Rica. Although the danger has not abated, thanks to the Moore Foundation and family large tracts have been protected from development, the beaches still exist as a refuge for nesting sea turtles, and coastal dry forest still stands in the shadow of Tamarindo’s blight.

We mourn the loss of our dear friend Robin Scott a fearless and dynamic woman who was a conservationist, educator, business leader and savior of diamondback terrapins. Robin long worked to save diamondback terrapins in the back bays around Margate City New Jersey. She was a strong supporter of The Leatherback Trust and a partner in our conservation efforts in New Jersey. Robin was the owner of Ray Scott’s Dock, a small marina in Margate, New Jersey, where she was known as “The Turtle Lady.” Robin became concerned when she saw terrapins walking up a boat ramp into her property looking for someplace to lay eggs. She let the females lay their eggs in some soft ground and a few months later out came the hatchlings. Since they were small, and it was late in the season Robin put the hatchlings into one of her minnow tanks and fed them all winter. She looked up information on how to take care of turtles and put in basking platforms and grow lights. By spring the hatchlings had grown considerably and in late summer she released them into the marsh. Soon word got out and children started to bring in hatchlings from their yards and others they found on the street or had rescued from the local cat. Robin contacted Dr. Walter Bien, a professor at Drexel University and local terrapin expert. She obtained a rehabilitation permit from New Jersey DNR with Dr. Bien and became a real turtle advocate. 

Local children came by to watch their baby turtles grow all summer in Robin’s tanks. It became a real educational experience for both the children and their parents. She also hosted an interactive educational exhibit at her marina, Wetlands Wonderland, during the annual Margate Funfest. We organized the live exhibits of turtles, fish and other ocean creatures to the joy of thousands of children and adults.

Robin made another very important positive contribution to saving terrapins. She decided to do something about the large numbers of terrapins being killed on the Margate Bridge Causeway on the way from the mainland. She convinced city fathers and the private Margate Bridge Company to fence the road. Boy scouts and civic organizations came out one Saturday in spring 2008 and fenced about half the road with materials provided by the city. The first year about half of the causeway was completed and in 2009 most of the rest of the road. In 2008 only a few terrapins became victims of the predatory cars and in 2009 there were none. The causeway is still fenced, and terrapins are still safe

Robin was a dynamic businesswoman who owned and operated Ray Scott’s Dock for 27 years. She was lovingly referred to as the “mom to all” by the scores of young people she worked with over the years. She was the embodiment of a community leader who also enjoyed being the “turtle mom” to multitudes of diamondback terrapins she rescued and raised. She was a fierce advocate for all back bay marine wildlife and defended them tirelessly. The most notable part of Robin’s life was her character- her infectious enthusiasm, grit, big heart, her faith in God, and the overflow of love she poured into everyone she met. She was joy personified, adored by all. Robin remains a model for those who wonder how they can save sea turtles when they don’t have an advanced degree or don’t live on a turtle beach. She saved the turtles where she lived. Everyone can do that, and the world will be a better place if we all do so.

God gives each of us enough time to make the world a better place. Robin, you have used your time well!

Jim Spotila