Promoting the conservation of endangered and threatened marine turtles in Northeast Florida

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ABOUT BSTP

BSTP is an all-volunteer non-profit working under the direction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Marine Turtle Program, authorized by MTP-111. Our goal is to keep the sea turtle population from experiencing a downward trend which could be irreversible. We are working to achieve our goal by:

  • Reducing the disturbance of nesting sea turtles and hatchlings by educating the public about the dangers of artificial lighting, human intervention, and pollution.
  • Reporting data to the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network and FWC.
  • Contributing data to approved research projects.

NEWSWORTHY & NOTABLE

  • HOW TO REPORT A STRANDED SEA TURTLE. Please report sightings immediately by texting a photo and location to the numbers below. Do not return the turtle to the water.
    Atlantic, Neptune, and Jax Beaches: 904-613-6081.
    Ponte Vedra: 904-370-3704.
    All other areas in Florida, call FWC at 888-404-3922 (*FWC from cell).
  • NESTING SEASON IS MAY 1 – OCTOBER 31. Help protect nesting sea turtles by keeping beaches Clean, Dark, and Flat. Keep scrolling for more details.
  • SEA TURTLE PROTECTION LAWS. Sea turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act (1973) and Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act (F.S. 379.2431)
  • VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FILLED. Big thanks to everyone who raised their hand to help in 2025! Please check back in January 2026 for next season. Visit our volunteer information page to learn more about how you can get involved.
  • 2025 BSTP ANNUAL NEWSLETTER. Catch up on all the latest updates! From nesting news to upcoming events (hello, beach cleanups!), we’ve packed this newsletter with everything you need to know. Read it here!
  • FUN-FILLED LEARNING. The “Turtle Talks” Activity Book is available and it’s totally free! Download it here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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2025 SEA TURTLE NEST TOTALS FOR OUR BEACHES

As of July 6, 2025

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1

ADOPT A NEST

DO YOUR PART TO KEEP SEA TURTLES SAFE

Keep our beaches CLEAN, DARK & FLAT

CLEAN
Trash, chairs, umbrellas, toys—these everyday beach items can pose serious threats to sea turtles. Removing them at the end of the day reduces the risk of injury or entanglement.

DARK
Artificial lights, like flashlights and flash photography, can disorient sea turtles, especially hatchlings, who rely on natural light to find their way to the ocean.

FLAT
Sandcastles and holes may be fun for us—but they can trap or block sea turtles. Flattening sand structures before leaving the beach helps keep the path clear for sea turtles.

Pick up a sticker
Show your support by grabbing a free #CleanDarkFlat sticker at any of the three City Hall offices, most of the coffee shops that took part in the mug campaign, or Beaches Energy.

Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol is a proud recipient of the 2020 Top-Rated Non-Profit Award from Great Nonprofits — the leading platform for community-sourced stories about nonprofits. Thank you to all who shared their stories and for your continued support of our work with endangered sea turtles. Have an inspiring story? You can share it here.