08/19/2026
Many of you have seen the news from our friends at Anna Marie Island Turtle watch about the 55 disoriented sea turtle hatchlings who died as a result of lighting concerns near the nest.
No Barrier/ Island town is perfect or immune to this. Last week our volunteer patrollers discovered disoriented nests, with tracks leading to Gulf of Mexico Drive. Close to a dozen deceased hatchlings were found, along with some survivors. A road parallel to GMD had shielded lighting, but due to construction and clearing lots, the shields were not enough, and the lights were visible to the hatchlings when they emerged from their nest.
The LBKTW volunteer patrollers reached out to the town with this news, and the town reacted QUICKLY, replacing the streetlamps and shields with turtle safe amber lights.
We applaud Town of LBK for the open communication, expediency and care for wildlife well-being.
We applaud many of you who call when you find a disoriented hatchling. We applaud those who pick trash up on the beach, fill in holes, use turtle friendly lights at home, and ask questions if you are unsure how to best help. THIS is how we get to perfect , TOGETHER.
Heather Sellers :)
