Enjoy a morning walk on the beach while uncovering the fascinating lives of sea turtle hatchlings with the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department and Ecological Associates, Inc. These guided walks are a part of St. Lucie County’s Guided Nature Program series and take place on South Hutchinson Island, however the specific location of each is determined by the hatching timeline of nests and shared with registrants 48 to 24 hours prior to the program.
Walks are held every Friday in August from 6:30am-8:30am and are FREE. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens July 12th at 8:00am at www.SLCHikes.org. Due to high demand, each party is permitted to sign up for one session only. Participants should be able to walk 1-mile in beach sand and expect to be on the beach for at least 2 hours. For ages 6 to adult.
This opportunity provides the public to observe firsthand the excavation of a loggerhead sea turtle nest by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permitted guides. It includes a discussion of sea turtle conservation efforts and the importance of the Dark, Flat and Clean initiative. EAI biologists will inventory and examine the contents of the nest and explain their methods. Any hatchlings found are released according to FWC guidelines.
EAI specializes in sea turtle monitoring and research and conducts all activities under FWC Marine Turtle Permit 23-010.
For questions, please contact the Oxbow Eco-Center at 772-785-5833.
