Jim McClellan

A fifth-generation native of Northwest Florida, Jim McClellan is an outdoorsman, writer, and conservationist who grew up on the Apalachicola River and spent his childhood summers in what was then the sleepy community of Mexico Beach. These experiences instilled in him a deep connection to the natural world and a passion for protecting it. Now a public relations and marketing consultant, Jim has dedicated his life to using storytelling as a tool to inspire action and awareness. His journey has brought him back to the shores and riverbanks of his youth with a much deeper appreciation for the effort it takes to preserve them for future generations. Through Starla’s Special Shore, he hopes to spark a love for sea turtles and a commitment to conservation in children and families everywhere.

Dr. Lynn Wilder has spent her life exploring the connections between people, the environment, and the creatures that share our planet. With a PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health and a BS in Chemistry, Lynn dedicated her career to investigating environmental contamination and its impact on public health. Her work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control often brought her into communities to assess risks and develop solutions, from addressing micro plastics to ensuring safe drinking water. After retiring to a small town on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Lynn rediscovered her passion for art and her love for sea turtles. She began volunteering with local conservation groups, including Sea Turtle Patrol on St. George Island, and rekindled her talent for watercolor painting. Her artwork captures the delicate beauty of nature and the urgent need to protect it. Lynn is also the executive director of a nonprofit focused on recycling and litter reduction, a board member of the Friends of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, and an active community advocate. Through her art and her environmental work, Lynn strives to inspire others to cherish and protect the natural world.