Meet Bill Dwyer

Bill served on the Florida Oceanographic Board of Directors from 1991-2015 and was Treasurer nearly all that time. After a few years away, Bill returned to volunteer as a Turtle Scout in 2020. As a Turtle Scout for the Nighttime Sea Turtle Walk program, he plays a crucial role in a unique educational initiative authorized and permitted by the State of Florida. Alongside other Turtle Scouts, he patrols the beach to locate and identify nesting loggerhead turtles. Once a turtle reaches the appropriate nesting stage, guests are guided to the site to observe the egg-laying process and the turtle’s return to the ocean.

“It never gets old to watch the excitement of those experiencing a nesting sea turtle for the first time,” says Bill. “The Turtle Scouts all share a common passion for what we do. Florida Oceanographic runs a top-notch program and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”

Bill and his family relocated from Chicago to Jupiter in 1962. A self-professed “turtleholic,” Bill Dwyer’s fascination with sea turtles began 50 years ago. While living in Jupiter, he spent two summers tagging and monitoring sea turtle nesting activity on Jupiter Island. His life-long love of the ocean and a shared interest with Florida Oceanographic in protecting and preserving our precious marine environments led him to become a volunteer in 1991.

After leaving for college, he returned to Florida upon graduation and started working in Stuart. Bill enjoyed a 35-year career in the banking industry, spending the last 20 years as a private banker before retiring five years ago. He is married and has three grown children. They have one grandchild and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a second.

When not looking for sea turtles, Bill enjoys spending his time looking for rare and/or uncommon birds in Martin County. He also enjoys snorkeling, hiking, watching Notre Dame football and traveling.

SNAP SHOT

Born: Perth Amboy, NJ

Colleges: BA from Notre Dame, MBA from the University of Colorado

Favorite Local Restaurant: 11 Maple Steet and Colab – both have gourmet dining and crafted cocktails at Colab

Favorite Books, Authors, TV Shows, Movies: Just finished reading Birding Without Borders. Favorite authors are Patrick D. Smith and Wayne White. A Land Remembered by Smith is a must read for all Floridians. He also recommends: The Lord of the Rings and Dune for movies and Big Bang Theory and Ted Lasso for TV.