Stella Turk facts for kids

Stella Maris Turk (born March 27, 1925 – died April 3, 2017) was a British scientist who studied animals and nature. She was a zoologist, naturalist, and a champion for protecting the environment. Stella Turk was especially famous for her work in marine biology, which is the study of ocean life. She focused on sea creatures like molluscs (snails, clams, and squids) and marine mammals (like dolphins and whales).

In 2002, Stella Turk was given a special award called the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for her important work. She also received the Stamford Raffles Award in 1979 from the Zoological Society of London.

Stella Turk's Early Life and Work

Stella Turk was born in 1925 on the Isles of Scilly. These islands are located off the coast of Cornwall, in Great Britain. Her birth name was Stella Maris Treharne. Her first two names, "Stella Maris," are a Latin phrase meaning "star of the sea." This name is sometimes used for the Virgin Mary.

Even though Stella lived in New Zealand for a short time as a child, she mostly grew up in Cornwall. She spent most of her life living there and studying its nature. Stella Turk was a dedicated scientist and published many works about zoology. She also worked with her husband, Frank Turk, teaching adults about biology.

Protecting Cornwall's Wildlife

Stella and Frank Turk started the "Cornish Biological Record Unit" at the University of Exeter. This unit was part of the Institute of Cornish Studies. Later, this important work became part of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. This trust helps protect wildlife in Cornwall.

Stella Turk was very important for recording marine life in the British Isles. She was the National Recorder for marine molluscs for the Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland. She also recorded "strandings" for the Cornish Biological Records Unit. Strandings are when marine mammals or other unusual sea creatures wash up on shore.

Stella Turk helped write the Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This book lists rare and endangered species in the area. She wrote 36 sections, including parts about unusual animals like Thorn-skins and Entoprocta. For many years, she also wrote a nature column in a local newspaper called the West Briton.

Awards and Recognition

In 1979, Stella Turk received the Stamford Raffles Award from the Zoological Society of London. She earned this award for her great contributions to studying seahorses and marine molluscs.

The University of Exeter honored Stella Turk in 1980. They gave her an honorary Master of Science (MSc) degree.

In 2003, Stella Turk was awarded the MBE. This honor was given to her for her amazing work in nature conservation in Cornwall. It specifically recognized her role as the Strandings Recorder.

A film was made in 2013 to celebrate Stella Turk's tireless efforts and contributions to science and conservation.

See also

• Frank Turk, her husband and partner in conservation work