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TURTLE SEASON IS HERE!

Written on . Posted in News.

From May 1-October 30, Loggerhead turtles wills be nesting on the Sea Island beach and hatchlings will be making their trip to the ocean. All those in ocean-front residences should turn off exterior lights at night, as bright lights confuse the turtles and can disrupt nesting. Please keep your distance from nesting turtles as well as from nests marked by yellow stakes, and keep your dogs leashed and away from the nests as well. Should you wish to learn more about the turtles, sponsor a nest, or take a Sea Turtle Dawn Patrol or Night Walk, please contact the Sea Island Nature Center at 912-634-4499.

Last year our “Adopt a Nest” program donated $11,500 to the Wildlife Conservation Fund which will all go back to sea turtle conservation research across the 100 miles of Georgia coast! Of our 86 nests last year, 76 were adopted by our residents.  Thanks to the generosity of Sea Island residents, all expected nests for the 2021 season have been adopted!  But please consider joining the wait-list to adopt a nest for next summer and join your fellow residents who will be seen on the beach in the morning, excited to do their part in protecting the nests and hatchlings!

As the weather improves and the beach gets more crowded, please follow these rules which will help protect the turtles and enhance everyone’s enjoyment of our beach:

  1. Please do not leave tents, chairs, towels, coolers or toys on the beach.  Please take all personal items with you when you leave, so they don’t form obstructions for the turtles and so you don’t lose your items when the tide rises.
  2. If you live on the beach, please remember to turn off your exterior lights before going to bed, as the brightness of these lights can disorient the turtles as they return to the ocean. This route becomes imprinted on the turtles’ brains so they will return to this very beach in about 15 years.
  3. Dogs can be a menace to turtle and shore bird nests, as well as to our new fragile dunes.  Please keep your dogs on a leash or use strong voice commands or e-collars.

All homeowners are respectfully asked to inform guests and renters of these rules.  If we all adhere to them, Sea Island beach will continue to be a place we can all enjoy together!