Sea turtle nesting season underway: How beachgoers can help the sea turtles
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — It is officially the start of sea turtle nesting season, and volunteers and officials with the Escambia County Sea Turtle Conservation Program are asking the public to help in their efforts to protect the wildlife.
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Escambia County shared in a press release that volunteers are conducting early-morning patrols of Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, looking for nesting and other turtle activity overnight due to the official start of sea turtle nesting season on May 1.
During the nesting season, female turtles make their way to the beaches to lay eggs. There is then a 60-day period of incubation until the newly hatched turtles emerge and race to the Gulf of Mexico.
To ensure these nests are undisturbed, volunteers and staff are posting marked nesting areas to avoid. But officials do not have to be the only ones to help make it possible for turtles to join in on the race to the Gulf.
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Here are some ways beachgoers can help protect Escambia County’s Coastal Wildlife:
After-dark visitors: those visiting the beach after dark should keep cell phones and flashlights off and use either a red flashlight or no flashlight at all.
Beachfront homes: turn off exterior lights and keep blinds and curtains shut after sunset.
Do not leave personal items: “All personal items, including chairs, tents, umbrellas, toys, and water equipment, must be removed from the beach by sunset each day.”
Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles
Stay out of posted nesting areas
Keep dogs away: “Dogs are only allowed in designated beach dog parks and must always be kept on a leash.”
For more information on sea turtles and other coastal wildlife in Escambia County, visit Escambia County’s sea turtles website.
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