Chris Croteau

Although being a biologist has been his number one goal for as long as Chris can remember, he was originally only interested in reptiles, especially snakes. It wasn’t until an internship on the Gulf World Marine Institute’s marine wildlife rescue and rehabilitation team in his freshman year of college that Chris discovered his passion for conserving marine wildlife. Chris spent the next four years helping rescue protected sea turtles, dolphins, and other whales across the Florida Panhandle. He was also able to get involved with sea turtle nesting data collection through South Walton Turtle Watch, which opened his eyes to the positive and negative influences communities can have on their local ecosystems and species.

Chris jumped at the opportunity to join the CBA team in the spring of 2023 after graduating from the University of West Florida with a Marine Biology degree and now works as a Volunteer Clean-up Coordinator. His passion is stoked by seeing the cascade of positive impacts that flow into the Choctawhatchee Bay from every conservation effort. He also continues to volunteer with the Marine Institute and South Walton Turtle Watch, as well as serve as a lifeguard for the City of Panama City Beach.