Sea turtle season is right around the corner! Each year, female loggerhead and green sea turtles return to Southwest Florida to lay their eggs on our beaches. The nesting season begins May 1st and ends on October 31st. In recent years we have had some early arrivals, so Collier County Parks and Recreation staff will begin daily surveys on April 15th on our City beaches. 

Last year there were a total of 2,155 nests laid in Collier County, with 558 of these on our City beaches. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Ian, much of our beach dune vegetation was destroyed allowing for more artificial light to be visible from the beach. As a result, 92 nests had hatchlings become disorientated. Artificial lighting confuses nesting females and hatchlings causing them to disorient away from the ocean resulting in them being prone to capture by predators, fatal dehydration, or misdirection into nearby parking lots and roadways.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO: 

• Help keep the beach dark: Do not use flashlights or flash photography at night. Turn off all unnecessary lighting and draw blinds/shades to prevent interior lighting from being visible on the beach. 
• Do not disturb: If you witness a nesting female or hatchlings on the beach, remain quiet, keep your distance, and enjoy the moment!
• Leave no trace: Be sure to look around before leaving the beach to ensure that you are leaving with everything you brought. In addition, properly dispose of any trash or discarded fishing gear.