Every spring and summer, the beaches of Vero Beach and Indian River County become one of the most important sea turtle nesting grounds in the world. Florida's Atlantic coast hosts the largest loggerhead nesting population anywhere, along with green and leatherback turtles, and our stretch of the Treasure Coast is right in the heart of it. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, a few simple habits can make an enormous difference in whether these ancient animals and their hatchlings survive the journey from nest to sea.
Simple Ways to Help Nesting Turtles
The most helpful thing beachgoers can do is leave the beach clean and dark at night. Please remember to remove beach furniture, boats, kayaks, canopies, and toys at the end of the day, since these obstacles can block a nesting female or trap a hatchling. Fill in any holes you dig in the sand, and take your trash with you, because a single deep hole or discarded item can be deadly to a turtle no bigger than your palm. If you are lucky enough to see a nesting turtle, keep your distance, stay quiet, and never shine lights or take flash photos, as bright light can frighten a female back into the water before she nests.
Turn Off the Lights
Artificial light is one of the biggest threats sea turtles face on developed coastlines. Hatchlings instinctively crawl toward the brightest horizon, which in a natural setting is the moon and starlight reflecting off the ocean. Porch lights, streetlights, and glowing windows can lure them in the wrong direction, away from the water and toward roads, pools, and predators. During nesting season, beachfront residents can help by turning off or shielding outdoor lights, closing curtains at night, and switching to turtle-friendly amber lighting where possible. It is also unlawful to disturb, harass, or harm sea turtles, their nests, or their eggs, and certain beach activities such as driving motorized vehicles or lighting fires near the dune are restricted during the season.
A Long Season Worth Protecting
Nesting on Florida's beaches generally runs from spring into fall, with leatherbacks arriving first in early spring, loggerheads following, and green turtles joining in as summer builds. By early summer all three species may be nesting at once, which makes those warm months a busy and delicate time on the sand. All of these turtles are protected under state and federal law, including the Endangered Species Act, precisely because they face so many hazards. The good news is that our community holds real power here. Trained volunteers monitor and mark nests each morning, and every resident and visitor who keeps the beach dark, clean, and undisturbed is part of the reason so many hatchlings make it safely to the Atlantic. Protecting the turtles is one of the most meaningful ways we care for the coast we all love.
The “real world” is Vero Beach Marketing where Nikki was recruited and is being mentored by Creative Director/ Owner, Stacy Cook. Nikki’s daily efforts include website management, email marketing, newsletter development, and most notably social engagement. Nikki has been instrumental in the deployment for the last two years of the “VeroBeach Marketing Summit” coordinating scheduling for regional and local experts in the digital space. In 2018 Nikki was responsible for the Email Marketing break out session, presenting her experience and insights to an audience of local businesses and professionals.
All of this is on behalf of local business clients and Vero Vine contributors. Nikki curates the good news about events, philanthropic happenings, and all the adventures in the Paradise of Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast. Updating Vero Vine, Vero Beach Foodie, and all of their client’s websites and Socials Nikki Kalin makes sure that the world has everything on Vero Vine within reach.
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