Saving our Sea Turtles

By Leslie Stone. Posted July 14, 2023

Photographs by Joe Rimkus Jr., Coastal Connections volunteer

Sea turtles have fascinated humans for thousands of years. In ancient Greece and Rome, they were associated with the goddesses Aphrodite and Venus. Chinese culture saw them as emblems of wisdom, longevity and stability, and they were revered as sacred symbols of endurance by Native American tribes. They’ve even made their mark in popular culture, as father-son loggerheads Crush and Squirt in Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” and Sammy, the green sea turtle who stars in “A Turtle’s Tale.” With their irresistible cuteness and charm, what’s not to love about these endearing creatures?

Beyond their visual appeal, sea turtles have a lot to teach us about survival. From the time they start out as hatchlings—making their death-defying journey to the water, frequently falling prey to predators like sharks, big fish and birds—to their youth spent drifting and feeding in ocean currents, and finally when they return to the shore to breed, sea turtles face serious threats. In Florida alone, 20 to 30 percent of stranded sea turtles exhibit injuries consistent with being hit by a boat or other watercraft. In fact, only about one in 1,000 sea turtles survives to adulthood. Females who do live to maturity come ashore to lay their eggs, often returning to the same beach where they were born, while the males stay out at sea. Then the cycle starts all over again.

Protecting Endangered Habitats in Our Own Backyard

Vero Beach is one of the nesting habitats for green sea turtles, leatherbacks and loggerheads. These turtle species play an integral part in maintaining the balance in local marine ecosystems through their unique role in the food chain. They also host numerous tiny yet important organisms who live on their shells. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) have both listed these turtles as imperiled.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in the United States,” says Kendra Cope Bergman, M.S., president of Coastal Connections, Inc., a local 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit she founded to protect sea turtle habitats. “It’s a special year for sea turtles and many other endangered (listed) species.” Unlike other species, however, sea turtles take an extremely long time to mature. “It’s critical to have everybody’s continual support and participation in our conservation efforts because it’s going to take each and every one of us doing our part to make that change,” Kendra says.

Thanks to both Coastal Connections and Indian River County’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), efforts are being made to enhance sea turtle conservation and survival right here in our backyard. HCP allows the county to manage nest-monitoring efforts on 22.4 miles of the county’s beaches while Coastal Connections has not only facilitated the rescue of 501 sea turtles, but they are also actively engaged in rehabilitation efforts, aiding injured or distressed turtles and raising awareness about the necessity of protecting their endangered habitats. “We also have the largest state rescue team in our county,” Kendra says. “My greatest joy, as a trained sea turtle biologist leading a nonprofit organization, has been watching how fast we have grown from eight to 100-plus trained volunteers.” She notes that the number of partnerships Coastal Connections has established with academic organizations, community support organizations and other nonprofits around town has also grown exponentially. “I love the passionate people on our team who work day in and day out to protect these critters and help them not just survive but thrive. Our goal is to see them recover within our lifetime.”

To date, Coastal Connections volunteers have cleaned up 7,102 pounds of trash from local beaches—and the organization is also involved in certifying beachfront hotels across the state of Florida as sea-turtle friendly. Thanks to the generosity and ongoing efforts of donors and volunteers, wheelchairs are now provided at digs and walks, the organization has been able to create lesson plans for second- and fifth-grade classes and also offers paid summer internships for college students.

What Can You Do?

In every presentation, activity and program, Coastal Connections emphasizes the importance of everyone’s role in the sea turtles’ success story—from charitable acts like making a donation that helps fund ongoing research, rehabilitation, education and other initiatives to participating in the beach basket cleanup program or simply volunteering. “Perhaps there is one behavior you might not have been doing but could do this year, such as recycling or carpooling or eating sustainably caught seafood,” Kendra says. “We appreciate even the smallest things people can do to help because the survival of sea turtles cannot be accomplished alone.”

Sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach is a testament to what passion and commitment can achieve when our residents, year-round and seasonal alike, as well as visitors and tourists come together for the sake of ensuring their survival for generations to come.

See the Sea Turtles in Person!

Sea turtle nesting season takes place from March 1 to October 31 each year, and Coastal Connections offers nighttime turtle walks, as well as daytime turtle digs starting each July, that give people an opportunity to see these creatures in their natural habitat. For more information about these events (or to adopt a sea turtle nest), call Coastal Connections at (772) 226-0133.

Adopt a Nest

Coastal Connections’ Adopt-A-Nest program frequently opens additional spaces for VIP Adoption Packages.

For more information or to reserve a nest click here.

6 Ways to Keep the Beach Safe for Sea Turtles

1. Be aware that not all nests are marked. Approximately 10% will be identified for research, and additional nests located in public parks will be marked for preservation purposes.
2. Respect the protected status of sea turtles and maintain a safe distance at all times. Direct contact is prohibited by law.
3. Adhere to lighting regulations by turning off outside lights after 9 p.m. (this includes flashlights on the beach) or by using red/amber light bulbs.
4. Holes and pits can pose a risk to sea turtles, so be sure to fill them in before leaving the beach.
5. Clear all beach furniture at the end of the day to minimize nighttime obstacles for traveling turtles.
6. Remember that the best way to help sea turtles safe is by keeping the beaches CLEAN, FLAT and DARK!

Source: Indian River County Coastal Division Programs

Saving our Sea Turtles

Protecting Endangered Habitats in Our Own Backyard

What Can You Do?

See the Sea Turtles in Person!

Adopt a Nest

Fun Fact

Want to See this Year’s Sea Turtle Nest Count?

Did you see a sick, injured or deceased sea turtle?

6 Ways to Keep the Beach Safe for Sea Turtles