by Tina Valant

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 18, 2008

Florida beaches are globally significant. "Ninety percent of all sea turtle nests in the United States, occur here in Florida", stated Elizabeth Fleming, the Florida representative for Defenders of Wildlife. Education is critical to any conservation effort. "Workshops reach the community and create a positive impact, especially when information is shared", said Susan Lewis, assistant manager of Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program. Over 100 volunteers from Martin, Palm Beach and Broward counties gathered at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton to learn how to support struggling sea turtle populations. Defenders of Wildlife teamed up with Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival (NESTS) to present information and increase community awareness. Participants gained knowledge of threats which span natural predators, man-made causes (development) and a rapidly changing climate. "It was refreshing to meet so many people who really care about the turtles and want to help, " added Lewis.

"Volunteers (of all ages) can help to make a big difference for wildlife", stated Dr. Kirt Rusenko of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Ten year old Rachel Keyworth was the youngest workshop participant, "I was sad to hear how many sea turtles don't even survive their first journey to the ocean. We need to help them, every living creature is important. We all need each other", she said.

"An important step for sea turtle survival, and one of the easiest things to remedy, is lighting. Nesting females may be scared off by lights (on beach and/or ambient lighting); hatchlings can be confused and go toward the roadway, instead of the ocean - meeting their demise", informed Dr. Rusenko.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agent Jean Higgins conducts night time beach surveys and prepares reports to aid local code enforcement. "I often observe bright/decorative lights and floodlights mounted on the sides of buildings. Bright lights can deter nesting females from returning to native beaches, and cause disorientation in adult and hatchling turtles. Lights should be placed low, shielded and lamped with low-wattage, long wavelength light sources (low-pressure sodium, turtle safe lighting coated bulbs, red or amber LEDs). Interior lights and signs visible through windows should be shielded or turned off during turtle season. Exterior signs visible from the beach should be turned off or lit during business hours with a downward directional fixture with lower wattage, long wavelength

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>