The Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol (SITP) is an environmental conservation group working under the authority of the SC Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and dedicated to the protection and preservation of the sea turtles that nest on our beach and visit the ocean and waterways around our island. For all of you that have seen us in our brightly colored t-shirts at all hours of the day and wondered…
“What the heck are those people doing?”
- From May 1 until the last nest hatches around September, our dedicated crews walk the beach at dawn looking for signs of a momma turtle.
- Protect the nests from the elements and other wildlife as specified by the SC DNR until they hatch or “boil”.
- Pick up trash and all sorts of really odd bits left on the beach.
- Happily answer questions.
- Take lots of sunrise pictures.
- Tend to stranded turtles and other wildlife by contacting the appropriate authorities. If you are downtown, stop in and say hello to Rose at the SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Care CenterTM.
- Care for the nests at all times of day.
- Conduct inventories of the nests and provide data to the DNR.
So, what can you do?
- Take home what you bring to the beach, fill in holes and knock down sand castles.
- Stay off the dunes and away from turtle and bird nests.
- Use red-light flashlights and shield or turn off lights that can be seen from the beach.
- Ask questions and come to the inventories.
For more information on Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol go to our website or send an email to hello@siturtlepatrol.com.
To learn about all of the special interest groups on Seabrook Island, go to tidelinesblog.com, click on “Do You Know” from the drop-down menu, and select “About Special Interest Groups”.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol)