Thank you, Steve,
It’s been nine years since Steve started theTurtleRoom (tTR). I remember our conversations leading up to that. We just wanted to be a part of something bigger than ourselves – a place where we could use our skills, talents and growing knowledge to help turtles and tortoises. We weren’t biologists or zoologists, but surely there had to be something we could do. Looking back, it’s quite comical how little we knew about where we were heading or what things would look like in the future. We both agreed that taking a collaborative approach, treating others well and helping as many other folks as possible would lead to success, whatever that means.
Probably, within just the first year or two we knew we had done the right thing. Steve was and has always been the driving force behind our growth and I can’t tell you how many times we giggled together like school children over a new partnership we developed or a positive outcome from one of our projects. Without his unwavering efforts and detailed approach to scheduling and executing tasks to grow our programs, nothing would happen. I often joke that he is a machine, a term of endearment meant to be the ultimate compliment.
Steve’s love for his wife so much that I need to be careful how much I talk about their relationship in front of my wife. He loves his friends and family and is the type of person who always keeps in touch. Steve loves his colleagues in the turtle world, especially those who share his passion. He loves his tTR people, who he has hand-picked to work with him in our mission. And Steve loves me. He tells me every time we talk.
Truth is, I don’t know what I would be without Steve. Our friendship and his tireless efforts are proof of what can be accomplished when a conscious and steady effort is made every day to do what you can toward a particular goal. The mission has never changed, even though we often didn’t even know what the next steps might end up being. Today, our path is as clear as it’s ever been, thanks to Steve. We don’t need it though, because as we have learned, no matter the next step, we will keep moving forward, together. Of course we will, because Steve wouldn’t have it any other way. He is a machine, built for education, conservation, and survival.
The world is a better place because of Steve Enders. Many aspiring conservationists, biologists and educators owe a lot to him for giving the platform to grow their confidence and resumes through their work with theTurtleRoom, myself most of all.
