A Trip with a Purpose!

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Every year sea turtles return to the origin of their birth to bury their eggs. You can help protect endangered sea turtles in the Caribbean by assisting experts in monitoring eggs and hatchlings (May-Dec) or join volunteers on “beach clean-up day” in September.  Many of the resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean have sea turtle programs for guests of the resorts to help with the hatchlings get out to sea. Visiting these resorts in May or June you may see a small fence protecting a group of turtle eggs. All of the resorts are very strict when asking for help. The beach clean-up is very important to clear the beach of any litter that might keep the hatchlings from getting to the water’s edge. Last year on the island of Jamaica alone 4,000 helpers cleared a staggering 50,000 lbs. of debris, much of it discarded plastic.

 

Here in the US, Florida has seen an incredible growth in the numbers of green turtles. The number of nests of green turtles this summer in Florida shattered all previous records. Increases also have been observed this year in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia as well. Even South Florida, which doesn't get nearly as many nests as Central Florida, has seen a doubling of green turtle nests this season.

If you are looking for a great vacation and are traveling during the nesting or hatchling times, don’t forget to ask about helping these little turtles get to the ocean. Something as small as holding a flashlight can go a long way in helping increase the population of the beautiful creatures.   

Painting by Bunny Griffeth. See more of her work at bunnygriffeth.com