If they survive, baby sea turtles born along Southwest Florida’s coast will spend 20 to 30 years exploring the oceans before returning to where they first hatched to reproduce for the very first time. The most common sea turtles to nest in this part of the state are Loggerheads, but Leatherbacks and endangered Green and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles sometimes nest here.
Sea turtle nesting season runs from April 15 through October 31 in Southwest Florida, which means it’s beginning to wind down. We get an update on how this season has gone from members of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Sea Turtle Program and learn about their volunteer-driven monitoring efforts, which have been ongoing since the 1950s.
To report any issues with nests, nesting turtles, or hatchlings, please call the Sea Turtle Hotline: 978-728-3663
GUESTS:
- Kelly Sloan, Coastal Wildlife Director at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)
- Jack Brzoza, SCCF Biologist
- Andrew Glinsky, SCCF Research Associate
- Cheri Hollis, SCCF Volunteer
