Learning About Florida’s Sea Turtles

Ocean ConservancySpend a Day learning about Florida’s Sea Turtles! Learn how to join NESTS — Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival! Take a Sea Turtle Lighting Course!

Saturday, August 27 9 – 3 pm
Sea Turtle Workshop 3 –5 pm Sea Turtle Lighting Course

Beach Community Residents and Sea Turtle Enthusiast are invited to spend a day learning about sea turtles and how to protect them.

Florida serves as “home base” for several species of endangered and threatened sea turtles. They nest on Florida’s beaches, forage for food in our nearshore waters, and occasionally wash up dead on the shoreline. Sadly, coastal development, beach lighting, habitat loss, and pollution threaten current and future populations. Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on earth and have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. However, their future is closely tied to the actions of their human neighbors living along the coast.

Ocean ConservancyThe Ocean Conservancy is inviting the public, especially Brevard and Indian River County Coastal Residents to join us on Saturday August 27 for a special workshop, “Getting to Know Your Neighbors: Florida Sea Turtles”, to learn more about these amazing creatures and how to help protect them. With both nesting and hatching going on right now on area beaches, this is the perfect time to learn about the importance of Florida’s coast for endangered and threatened sea turtles.

This one-day workshop will be held at Environmental Learning Center (ELC) in Vero Beach (255 Live Oak Drive. Directions available at www.elcweb.org/contactus). and runs from 9:00 am – 3 pm. Experts will present information on the biology, life history, threats, and current status of Florida’s sea turtles, as well as the history of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Biologists will review sea turtle nesting and stranding information, in addition to Florida’s conservation programs. We will also present information about issues that affect turtles right now, and the work being done to increase the chances of long-term population survival.

For those looking for additional information on safeguarding sea turtles, a Sea Turtle Lighting Course will be held a the ELC from 3–5 pm

Space is limited; reservations are being accepted on a “first come, first served” basis. A $15 registration fee covers the workshop as well as morning coffee, gourmet deli lunch a “Sea Turtle Goodie Bag”, and information on NESTS – Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival. The lighting course is free, but RSVP required.

Find out how beach residents can become a NESTS Partner, Guardian, or Champion and receive Sea Turtle Friendly stickers, signs, and flags! The day ends with a Round Table Discussion to share thoughts and concerns.

For more information or to reserve a space, contact: The Ocean Conservancy at 800-262-3567
or email Coralette Damme at cdamme@oceanconservancy.org or or Jessica Koelsch at jkoelsch@oceanconserancy.org