Sea Turtle Adventures: 2021 Recap

Jackie Kingston, Executive Director, Sea Turtle Adventures

During the 2021 nesting season, STA documented 766 sea turtle nests on the 3-mile section of beach we have been monitoring for the past 21 years. The nest count breaks down as follows: 666 loggerhead, 76 green, and 24 leatherback nests. To put it in perspective, our beach saw an average number of loggerhead nests, a below average number of green nests, and a record-breaking number of leatherback nests (the previous record of 19 was set in 2020). STA also responded to 14 stranding and salvage events, and assisted FWC with an additional four sea turtle “transfer only” cases (where we simply transported a stranded turtle on behalf of FWC from one location to another, typically a rehabilitation center).

STA’s efforts to develop an alternative non-plastic sea turtle nest sign finally came to fruition. After soliciting proposals for multiple vendors to produce a (relatively) light-weight aluminum sign, STA partnered with Pride Enterprises based out of Central Florida. PRIDE is a self-funded enterprise whose mission makes a positive difference in Florida. They make communities safer and save taxpayers money by training eligible inmates in vocational skills and transitioning them into the job market upon completion of their sentences. Nearly 2,000 aluminum sea turtle nest signs are in production and will be shipped to 24 organizations throughout Florida (see Figure 1 for testing locations) who agreed to test these new signs during the 2022 nesting season.

STA’s “ride along” program continues to gain interest from residents and visitors (including many who joined us from out of state)! During a “ride along”, participants join us for a 1hr adventure aboard our ATV. They enjoy a personalized experience where they observe our permitted sea turtle monitor excavate a previously hatched nest and learn all about the nesting process. This one-of-a-kind opportunity has grown significantly over the past three years since its first offering. Please visit our website for more information or if you would like guidance in starting a similar program (www.seaturtleadventures.com).

STA remains one of only a few organizations who is willing to respond to calls regarding injured seabirds and shorebirds. In 2021, we responded to calls for about 12 injured seabirds and transported all to Busch Wildlife for rehabilitation. Keep our phone number handy if you are in need of a seabird rescuer in Palm Beach County (561-704-5911).

STA’s nature-based program for adults with special needs also continued to see growth. The iCare Program grew from 90 to 135 members in 2021 and participants had their fair share of environmental experiences. STA hosted three weeklong “Biology Bootcamps” where special needs adults learned firsthand what it is like to be a biologist. iCare members also participated in over 40 cleanups throughout the year, primarily in mangrove habitats which are often overlooked as potential cleanup locations but are oftentimes full of debris.