Gumbo Limbo’s 7^th Annual Sea Turtle Day a Success

            On Saturday, March 3, 2012, GumboLimboNatureCenterin Boca Raton, FLhosted the 7^th Annual Sea Turtle Day to celebrate sea turtles and the ocean environment. The event attracted about 4000 visitors of all ages, which tied the previous attendance record from 2009, according to Kristin Child, an Environmental Program Coordinator at Gumbo Limbo. Guests were encouraged to stroll the grounds, take a guided tour, visit with about 30 environmentally friendly exhibitors, attend performances by Sol Children’s Theatre, and listen to educational talks about various creatures of nature. There were also arts, crafts, and games, as well as a chance to meet Luna, the new green sea turtle mascot. Food, drinks, and ice cream were available through various food vendors.

            In addition to the festivities, The Nature Center and Friends of Gumbo Limbo unveiled a near shore reef saltwater tank, which will eventually house various fish, crustaceans, and other reef life. This was the first tank habitat, in a series of four, to be opened. Unfortunately, due to construction delays, the tank was not completely finished for the event, however, that did not seem to disappoint the visitors, who flocked to view the empty tank which should be filled soon.

            Sea turtle specific exhibitors included Boca Raton Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Sea Turtle Research, Florida Hawksbill Project of Palm Beach Zoo,LoggerheadMarinelifeCenter, Sea Turtle Oversight Protection, and the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation (NSTSTF). Other groups in attendance focused on education and conservation of the coastal environment.

            Representing the NSTSTF, Marine Biologist Connie Versteeg and volunteer Helena Schaff educated guests about sea turtle biology and nesting, the importance of keeping the lights off during nesting season, and pollution issues. One visitor to the booth, Kristine Halager, announced that she has now acquired a permit to handle sea turtle strandings inPompano Beachand Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in an effort to assist turtles inBrowardCounty. Kristine is not new to the sea turtle world. She has volunteered her time with sea turtles for a total of ten years, assistingLoggerheadMarinelifeCenter, FAU Sea Turtle Lab, and NSTSTF in a previous Costa Rica Project. She has also worked for five years onBrowardCounty’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program. For stranded turtles inPompano Beachor Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, she can be reached at (954)778-9848.

            The successful festival marked the opening of sea turtle nesting season, which began on March 1^st. It was free to the public (with a suggested entrance donation of $5) and included free parking atSpanish RiverPark, a free shuttle to the entrance, and free entry into a door prize drawing. Sponsors included Friends of Gumbo Limbo,PNC Bank, David Lerner Associates, Inc., Classical South Florida 89.7 and Sweet Tomatoes.

The Hillsboro Lighthouse in Hillsboro, FL has shined its light for 105 years to guide mariners through the inlet, however, it has had an impact on endangered sea turtle hatchlings as well. Since hatchlings are guided to the ocean by the brightest horizon, instead of heading out to sea, they walk along the beach toward the lighthouse until they become exhausted and die or a predator finds them. The Coast Guard has been soliciting comments from the public on the use of the lighthouse for navigation and has been offering three options: shut it off completely, mask the north and south sides, or leave it on. Since Hillsboro Beach is a heavy nesting site, it would be very beneficial to the hatchlings to either shut it off or block some of the light. Click for the full story in the Sun Sentinel.

Congratulations on the installation of Turtle Friendly Lighting!

New LED lights have been installed along the city’s beachfront. These lights are Turtle Friendly and will prevent disorientation/misorientation of sea turtles along this beach. The city also hopes to install LED lights at the pier and parking lots in the near future.

View complete story at PompanoPelican.com

Thankfully, the dog did not harm the hatchling and it was returned safely to the ocean.

View story at sun-sentinel.com.