From now until October 31st, some of our favorite part-time residents will be making their annual trip to the beaches of Anna Maria Island. They appreciate the good things on AMI like our smooth sand and our crystal clear water. They dig the dark and they always live on island time. Of course, we’re talking about sea turtles! And there are five species of sea turtles that swim and feed near our beaches during the months of May through October.

Sea turtles clearly play an important role in our marine ecosystems. Each sea turtle species uniquely affects the diversity, habitat and functionality of its environment. Whether by grazing on sea grass, controlling sponge distribution, feasting on jellyfish, transporting nutrients or supporting other marine life, sea turtles play vital roles in maintaining the health of the Gulf of Mexico and the shoreline of Anna Maria Island. As sea turtle populations decline, so does their ability to perform vital roles in maintaining the health of the Gulf of Mexico.

A couple of our A Paradise team members, Amberly and Denise, wanted us to share a few facts about Sea Turtle Season here on Anna Maria Island and how you can do your part to keep these beautiful creatures safe. Here are five rules to follow to help our sea turtles thrive!

1. Fill in your sandcastles and holes you dig on the beach before leaving.
2. Help pick up trash on the beach.
3. Turn off lights at nighttime, especially those visible from beach.
4. Respect nesting areas.
5. Educate yourself on these amazing creatures!

You can learn more about the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch at www.islandturtlewatch.com or check out the schedule below and bring your family to a Turtle Talk!

Turtle Talks: Free, Informative and Fun

Come gather with the volunteers of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch as we walk you through a day in our life as we survey for nesting turtles on the beaches along the shores of Anna Maria.

Crosspointe  Fellowship
8605 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
May 22 and 29th
June 5, 12,19,26
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Plenty of Free parking

We will present a 30-minute program of fun photos, videos and great funny stories that happened on our nesting beaches.  We have free activity books and temporary tattoos with cute little turtles as well as many other free handouts