MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Local author Laura Joy Pewitt will be signing her children's book, "Wally, the Wayward Sea Turtle: A Story About Choices, Mistakes and Saving Grace" during the World Turtle Day event at the Wilderness Station Saturday, May 18 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Free activities are geared for all ages and include live music, crafts, animals, games, and "The World's Slowest Hike". Attendees are invited to visit various Turtle Stations to learn about our shelled friends and to discover ways to increase turtle conservation.

Sea turtles are equipped with the natural instinct of following the light of the moon in order to navigate. Unfortunately, artificial lights along the coast can cause sea turtles to become disoriented, leading them away from the ocean and into danger.

Pewitt thought this was an appropriate metaphor for life. "Who among us has never made a bad choice, a mistake that takes us down the wrong path? Who couldn't use a saving grace when we've gone astray?"

The story opens on a moonlit beach. The newly--hatched sea turtle, Wally, should be guided to the water by the light of the moon. He sets his sights on the ocean but is quickly distracted by a light along the coast. Wally follows the glow of a streetlight and mistakenly heads off in the wrong direction, where trouble awaits.

Located in Barfield Crescent Park, the Wilderness Station is the city's unique outdoor awareness and adventure facility and is managed by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department.

For information about World Turtle Day, contact the Wilderness Station at 615-217-3017, or email outdoormurfreesboro@murfreesborotn.gov. Up-to-date information may also be found on the Outdoor Murfreesboro Facebook page. Information about Pewitt's book may be found at www.wallythewaywardseaturtle.com.