Our Wildest Neighbors: Protecting Sea Turtles on Fort Myers Beach
Living on Fort Myers Beach means sharing our little stretch of paradise with some pretty remarkable neighbors.
Every year, sea turtles return to our shoreline to nest, continuing a cycle that has taken place on Florida's beaches for generations. If you've ever spotted the tracks of a nesting turtle in the sand, walked past a carefully marked nest, or been lucky enough to see hatchlings make their way toward the Gulf, you know there's something incredibly special about it.
But sharing the beach also comes with responsibility.
A Beach We All Share
Fort Myers Beach isn't simply a destination for those of us who live, work and vacation here. Our shoreline is also important habitat for nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. During nesting season, seemingly small things can make a big difference. Artificial lighting can confuse hatchlings trying to find the Gulf. Furniture and other items left on the beach can become obstacles. Holes dug during a day at the beach can create dangerous traps. Protecting turtles doesn't mean we can't enjoy the beach. It means enjoying it thoughtfully. Fill in the holes. Take your belongings with you. Keep the beach clean. Follow turtle-friendly lighting guidelines. Simple actions multiplied across thousands of residents and visitors can have a tremendous impact.
Learn More at Mound House
If you've ever wondered what happens inside those marked nests—or wanted to know more about the turtles that return to our shores—there's a great opportunity coming up this month. On Thursday, September 24, Mound House will present Protecting Our Sea Turtles & Our Beaches, part of its Our Natural World: Think Global, Act Local lecture series. Cindy Johnson of Turtle Time, Inc., the local nonprofit dedicated to marine turtle conservation, will take guests into the fascinating world of our local sea turtles. The presentation will explore nesting habits, hatchlings, the challenges turtles face and the conservation work happening right here on our beaches. Refreshments and ticket sales begin at 5:00 PM, followed by the presentation at 5:30 PM at Mound House, 451 Connecticut Street.
Admission is free for Mound House members and $5 for non-members. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
More Than Sunsets and Sand
One of the things that makes Fort Myers Beach special is that there's always something more to discover. Yes, we have beautiful beaches. Yes, we have incredible sunsets, restaurants, live music, boating and events. But there's another side of the island that's quieter. It's watching shorebirds along the waterline. Seeing a dolphin surface offshore. Discovering a turtle nest during your morning walk. Exploring the history and natural environment at Mound House. Those experiences are part of the Fort Myers Beach story, too.
Protecting What Makes FMB Special
At What's Up FMB, we spend a lot of time talking about supporting local businesses and creating experiences that bring people to our island. But there's something else worth supporting:
The island itself.
The Gulf, wildlife, beaches and natural environment are part of what draws people here in the first place. Protecting them helps ensure that future generations get to experience the Fort Myers Beach we love. So the next time you're walking the beach, look around. You might be sharing it with a neighbor who's been coming here much longer than any of us.
Learn. Explore. Protect.
And come discover another side of
What's Up on FMB.
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