Grant: 18-008E
Project Title: Sea Turtle Education and Outreach Program for Gulf County, Florida
Project Manager: Jessica Swindall
Organization: Florida Coastal Conservancy (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $4,287.97
Completion Date: 2022-04-20
Summary: The goal of this project is to improve nesting beach habitat and marine conditions for nesting sea turtles and hatchlings on St. Joseph Peninsula, and juvenile sea turtles that utilize near-shore habitats in St. Joseph Bay. This will be accomplished through the design, development, distribution, and display of materials that inform visitors and residents about the sea turtles, the many threats that they face, and how we can all play a role in helping to reduce these threats. Gulf County has no specific budget for sea turtle and coastal habitat education. The Florida Coastal Conservancy addresses these needs by providing educational programs and materials aimed at mitigating the negative impacts caused by improper lighting, beach driving, beach debris, and other dangers to sea turtles. These negative impacts have increased as greater numbers of visitors and residents enjoy our once pristine beaches and Gulf and Bay waters.
Results: All materials were printed in September, 2018, and the Clear the Way rack cards, Stranded or Injured Sea Turtle magnets, Junior Sea Turtle Ambassador cards, Clean, Flat, and Dark mesh backpacks, and Clean, Flat, & Dark magnets were distributed to residents and visitors through:
The Gulf County Tourist Development Council
Knot Forgotten Vacation Rentals
Langford Construction
Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals
Mainstay Suites
Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival (2019, 2020, and 2021)
Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center (2019 – present)
The Lights Out and Leave No Trace Road Signs were installed in April 2019 at four locations in Gulf County (two signs on State Road 30-A, one sign on State Road 30-E, and one sign on U.S. Highway 98). The Lights Out and Leave No Trace Feather Flags were printed in September 2018 and are displayed at our informational booth at local events including the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival, Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center Seas & Greetings Open House, Pickleball for Sea Turtles Tournaments, Lights Out Blow Out, Portoberfest, Scallop & Music Festival, and Blues on Reid.