St. Johns County is seeking volunteers for its Sea Turtle and Beach Steward Program.
Once sea turtles hatch from their nests, according to the county, they swim in search of a large mass of seaweed in the ocean. Storms and high tides often push the seaweed back onto the beach creating a wrack line and stranding the turtles. The county is looking for people to help survey these wrack lines to recover stranded sea turtles and conduct beach cleanups from August through November.
Volunteers will be scheduled for bi-weekly beach cleanups and will remain on call to survey the wrack lines when needed. All people assisting the Sea Turtle and Beach Steward Program must complete a county volunteer application, pass a background check, possess a Florida driver’s license, complete the online orientation session and attend one mandatory survey training that is conducted on the beach. Remaining trainings are scheduled for Aug. 19 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Butler Beachfront Park (5860 A1A South) and Aug. 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the South Ponte Vedra Recreation Area (2993 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd.).
Children under the age of 18 are welcome to volunteer, but they must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. For more information, please visit www.co.st-johns.fl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx or call (904) 209-3240.
