The South Walton Turtle Watch is a group of volunteers whose purpose is to locate endangered and threatened sea turtle nests and to protect them along the beaches of NW Florida during the crucial nesting and hatching season. By law, Only certified members are allowed to interact with endangered sea turtles.
“We, as sea turtle volunteers, go through many hours of training so that we may help these wonderful sea turtles. We are learning more each year. That is why we can get a sea turtle permit which allows us to help endangered and threatened animals.” -Sharon Maxwell
Sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act and only those with special permits are allowed to touch the nests, turtles, or hatchlings. There is a $2,500.00 reward for information leading to the conviction of violators. To report a violation, contact a State, Federal, or local law enforcement officer.
See what happens when Tanya the land turtle, who stays on land most of her life, and Tami the Sea Turtle meet. See Tami’s flippers? Tanya has feet that are better for walking. Tami doesn’t walk, she swims. When she nests, she pulls herself by her flippers. Only female, sea turtles ever come ashore, out of the sea, and then only to nest. Where people play is where sea turtles must nest. Also Tanya can draw her head and feet into her shell for protection and Tami can not. Tami is also much bigger and can swim and dive better. Read Beach Talk!
Female Sea Turtles that were born on the white sandy beaches always come back to nest on white sandy beaches. The beaches are white because they are primarily made up of quartz with very little or no shell deposits in them. When you walk on this sand, it sings to you or squeaks. This is a treat. The sea turtles’ tracks on this sand show up differently than on other darker sand beaches. Because the sun reflects off this white sand the sand does not get as hot as darker beaches, this fact also effects sea turtles. The number of days it takes for the eggs to hatch are longer than on darker beaches and because the temperature of the sand effects the sex of the hatchlings, this means that these white sandy beaches produce more male sea turtle hatchlings. The fact that the ones hatched on these beaches come back makes it our duty to protect these wonderful creatures in any way we can. The Loggerhead sea turtle that has hatched on these white sandy beaches is a sub population of the worlds Loggerheads and there are not many left. Sea turtles as a group have been on our earth since Dinosaur time.
SEASON: MAY 1st UNTIL OCTOBER 31st
Sea Turtles have long called this white sand beach their home. Females return every two years to nest. These animals deserve our respect and consideration. Share the beach by leaving it clean of debris, no chairs, tents, umbrellas, fences and no holes or hills of sand that could obstruct her path to a safe nesting site. In late summer and early fall when the hatchlings begin to emerge, turn off lights near the beach that may disorientate the turtles’ crawl to the surf.
The Green Sea Turtle and Loggerhead are the two most common species that nest on the beaches in our watch area.
This picture of the track (“crawl”) left in the sand shows that a Loggerhead sea turtle came ashore to nest and bumped into obstacles left by people who don’t know any better.
This is where Walton County, FL is located!
Here is a better view of our coast!
GreenSea Turtle
Loggerhead Turtle
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SEA TURTLE WATCH VOLUNTEER FOR OUR 2012 SEASON, PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS WORKSHOP PUT ON BY THE STATE. IT IS A MUST AND THIS IS THE TRAINING YOU WILL NEED. ALSO PLEASE CALL ME, SHARON MAXWELL AT 850-897-5228, AND TALK TO ME ABOUT OUR WALKING AREAS, OUR WALKS TAKE PLACE AT ABOUT 5:30 A.M. DAILY FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER AND YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WALK AT LEAST ONE DAY A WEEK. CALL ME IN FEBRUARY OF 2012.
Northwest Florida
Wednesday, March 28, 10:00am – 2:00pm Central Standard Time
Gulf Coast Community College – Student Union East/Conference Center, 2nd Floor, 5230 West Hwy 98, Panama City (850) 769-1551
From northwest of Panama City, get onto US 98 E. Turn left onto Alabama Ave. Turn left onto US 98W. Cross Hathaway Bridge, and GCCC will be on your left. From southeast of Panama City, go SW on US 319 toward CR-67. US 319 becomes US 98. GCCC will be on your right before Hathaway Bridge.