Beaches throughout the world play a vital role in the life cycle of sea turtles, and our beaches in Palm Beach County provide a safe place for three species of critically endangered sea turtles to nest. Through conservation and education these beaches continue to host record numbers of sea turtle nests each nesting season, and Palm Beach County is now the second largest nesting site in the world for Loggerhead sea turtles. But did you know that artificial lights, beach renourishment, and sea walls can have a detrimental effect on nesting sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings?
Join Pura Vida Divers, along with Dr. Larry Wood (from The Florida Hawksbill Project) on Saturday, June 13th at 6:00am for a Sunrise Beach Walk from the Ocean Mall to Ocean Reef Park. During our walk, Dr. Wood will educate us on how to limit our impact on nesting sea turtles so not to disturb them, how to identify the tracks left behind by nesting sea turtles, and what we can do to prevent sea turtle hatchling disorientation.
Itinerary for the Morning:
6:00am: Meet at Ocean Reef Park on Singer Island.
We will leave half of the cars parked in the Ocean Reef parking lot and car pool everyone to the Ocean Mall in the other cars, as we will begin or walk in front of Johnny Longboats. By leaving half of the cars at the start and finish of our walk, we will have access to transportation and not have to walk back to our cars.
6:30am: Our walk begins on the public beach in front of Johnny Longboats
8:00 – 8:30am: Our walk will end at Ocean Reef Park
This walk is approximately 1 mile long. Please wear appropriate attire suitable for walking on the beach, and remember your sunglasses and sunscreen.
Please RSVP by Thursday, June 11, 2015
(561) 840-8750
info.pvd@puravidadivers.co
For more information about current research taking place in Palm Beach and how you can donate, please visit The Florida Hawksbill Project, now hosted by The National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation.
