Sea Turtle Patrol - Hilton Head Island
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is the island's official sea turtle group, permitted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to watch over sea turtle nesting and hatching. Its fieldwork is led by Executive Director and SCDNR permit holder Amber Kuehn, a marine biologist who has volunteered on nesting beaches for more than 25 years.
Every nesting season, trained volunteers walk the island's 14 miles of beach at sunrise. They look for the tracks of mother loggerheads, find and mark each new nest, and keep watch until the hatchlings make their way to the ocean. The Patrol's stranding team also responds to sick, injured, or stranded sea turtles in the Hilton Head area.
Sea turtles have been around for about 80 million years, and their health tells us a lot about the health of the ocean. Loggerheads don't start nesting until they are 25 to 30 years old, so every nest counts. Sea Turtle Patrol is run by volunteers and depends on donations, sponsors, and community events to keep its work going.
Saving sea turtles… it's a way of life.
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island's Work
Here are a few highlights of the important work done by Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island.
Nesting Beach Monitoring
From May 1 until the last nest hatches, the Patrol team is on the sand every morning. Volunteers follow fresh turtle tracks, confirm each nest, mark it with poles and flagging tape, and record its GPS location. They check every nest through the whole incubation period. About half of the nests are carefully moved to higher ground so the highest tides can't wash them out.
Every Monday night in June, July, and August, Amber Kuehn hosts a free, family-friendly Turtle Talk at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Visitors and locals learn what is happening on the nesting beach and how they can help. The Patrol's Auxiliary members also bring hands-on sea turtle lessons into Hilton Head classrooms and lead weekly beach outings where guests pick up litter and smooth the sand so nesting mothers and hatchlings have a clear path.
Education and Turtle Talks
A Sea Turtle Friendly Community
The Patrol works with local resorts and vacation rentals through its Sea Turtle Friendly Certified and Sea Turtle Safe Stay programs. Members agree to follow guidelines on beach lighting, guest messaging, and education, since bright lights can confuse hatchlings heading for the sea. Supporters can also dedicate a nest to a loved one and get updates on that nest all season long.
Join us in supporting Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
75% of this month's donations will go towards this month's partner, Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island.
This month and every month, Wild Boyz Photography will be partnering with one nonprofit. 75% of any donations that we receive during the month will go to the nonprofit. Help Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island today!