Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project

09/03/2026

Friday through Sunday benefiting Edisto Island Youth Recreation.

08/29/2026

Thanks Kaitlin for sharing your photography with us!!!

This little straggler surprised us one morning while doing an inventory.

🐢All Beach surveys and turtle activities are performed under permit from SCDNR

08/28/2026

Lights are an issue where beach front homes are located. Some renters are not sure of what light switches work what. Please turn off beach facing lights.
And home owners, please follow the ordinances and put up appropriate window coverings. Most renters want to do the right thing but when there is not adequate coverings it makes it hard.
Hatchlings have so many obstacles, let’s not make lights be one more obstacle! 

We have some heartbreaking news to share. The nest laid by Krysta, the first loggerhead we satellite-tagged and released as part of the 2026 Tour de Turtles, disoriented this week due to lights from nearby properties on Anna Maria Island.

This week Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring, AMITW was notified about 70 live and five dead hatchlings scattered along Gulf Drive South. They successfully rescued the live hatchlings and released them onto a darker stretch of beach. The next morning, they also found a hatchling in a pool and another in a storm drain – these hatchlings are recovering at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Florida’s beaches host 90% of all sea turtle nesting in the U.S. and are densely developed, leading to disorientations like these occurring regularly. When local governments, property owners, and visitors are educated and change their behavior, it is possible to prevent disorientations.

As we enter peak hatching season, remember to turn off lights visible from the beach, close blinds and curtains, leave flashlights at home, and share this knowledge with your friends. Visit our website learn more: https://conserveturtles.org/program/beach-lighting/

08/25/2026

🚀 Tomorrow morning, (Tuesday) just before sunrise, we have a really good chance of seeing a jellyfish cloud over Georgia and Metro Atlanta.

Space X has a Starlink launch scheduled at 5:33 AM tomorrow morning. With mostly clear skies, we'll likely be able to see the rocket plume illuminated by sunlight while we're still in darkness on Earth. The only real variable is whether or not there's any delay in the launch. Which even then, I don't see any weather standing in its way.

SHARE to let your friends know you should look up around 5:38- 6:30 AM tomorrow, up and down the East Coast! If you'd like to hear about these in the future, make sure you're following my page, Alex Forbes, for updates.

08/24/2026

Come join us at the library!

08/24/2026

08/22/2026

For adult sea turtles, sexing is straightforward due to their tail. Males possess a long, thick tail that extends well beyond the rear flippers. Females have short, stubby tails that rarely extend past the edge of her carapace. For hatchlings and sub-adults, visual distinction is impossible because they lack external sexual characteristics.

Learn more ➡ https://savetheseaturtle.org/

08/16/2026

So thankful to be able to honor Susan Porth this year with an adopt-a-nest. She is a long time volunteer who has been dedicated and devoted for many years!

She taught many new volunteers as well as beach goers! Thank you susan for your love and devotion to turtles here on Edisto beach!!!

We miss you and the grands! So many great memories!! 💚🐢💚
Edisto beach loggerhead turtle project

08/16/2026

FYI: the Edisto island ACE hardware is now carrying red flashlights. They are $5.99. They do not come with a battery and need one double A battery.

If you need a light, use red, but please do not leave any lights on a turtle nest constantly. Hopefully we will have a little more moon this week.

Thanks for loving the turtles here on Edisto!!!

08/16/2026

It is necessary for beachgoers to actively maintain clean, dark, and flat beaches to ensure the survival of nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. Remove all chairs, umbrellas, toys upon leaving the beach. Abandoned furniture creates physical barriers that block turtles from reaching the water or nesting sites. It is essential to turn off all lights visible from the beach, close blinds/curtains, and avoid using flashlights or cell phones on the sand at night. Artificial lighting disorients sea turtle hatchlings, causing them to crawl inland toward roads, buildings, and predators, leading to death by dehydration, exhaustion, or vehicles. Fill in all holes and knock down sandcastles before leaving the beach. Deep holes and steep sand walls act as traps.

Learn more ➡ https://savetheseaturtle.org/