We have added the following to our Forms and Documents page:
Recent events have prompted us to make the following statements. If you see a perimeter (stakes/rope) set up by CBTW volunteers on the beach, that perimeter must be respected during all nest activities, hatchings, or excavations. There should not be any persons or dogs inside perimeters except CBTW volunteers. Please stay outside the perimeter and do not walk in the runways. If you are walking on the beach at night, please do not shine your flashlights towards turtle nests, runways or in the faces of our volunteers. Keep the lights pointed towards the wet sand. We do not want to stop your family fun of ghost crab hunting, but we do need to keep our turtle areas safe from distraction.
If you see activity at a nest, PLEASE CALL US! Again, turn off all lights (white or red) and do not use flash photography! We will advise you on what needs to be done until a permitted volunteer arrives. IT IS NEVER OK FOR ANYONE TO DIG INTO A NEST!
If you see a hatchling on the beach (washed back from the ocean or wandering in the wrong direction), PLEASE CALL US! Again, turn off all lights (white or red) and do not use flash photography! We will advise you on what needs to be done until a permitted volunteer arrives.
If you see a Mama Turtle on the beach at night, PLEASE CALL US, turn off all lights (white or red) and do not use flash photography! Your lights will cause her to be disoriented or scared so she may not nest. Stay at least 25 feet behind her at all times. Do not walk around her while she is digging! You may watch, but be quiet and respectful of her space. Once she is finished, please stay off the nesting site area. Our Patrol will need to examine the area to be able to locate the nest chamber.
Per State Guidelines associated with our Permit, nest excavations/hatchling releases will not be shared on social media. If you happen to see any of our CBTW Turtle Teams on the beach, feel free to stop by and join us for the experience!
