Topsail Turtle Project Volunteer-Topsail Beach

Topsail Turtle Project volunteers protect nesting female sea turtles, their nests, and their hatchlings.

Beach Walking: Monitor the beaches of Topsail Island daily before 7 am looking for sea turtle tracks. Report in to the Beach Coordinator. Locate nests. Relocate nests if necessary. Cordon off nests and cover them with screening to protect them.

Nest Sitting: When nests are projected to hatch, build a ramp from the nest to the beach, sit by the nest nightly. Educate the public. Work with local renters and homeowners and utilities to turn off nearby lights.

Hatchling Protection: When a nest hatches, protect the hatchlings as they make their way to the ocean. Educate the public.

Nest Analyses: Three days after hatching, excavate the nest to count the number of hatched eggs, any unhatched eggs, release hatchlings still present. Collect and report data.