St. Johns County Coastal Management will begin beach tilling on Thursday, April 3, to help maintain sea turtle nesting habitats. Beachgoers are asked to be cautious and considerate as they traverse these working areas.
The specific locations and dates are subject to change:
St. Augustine (Pope Road to A Street)
April 3-4 and April 7
Vilano (Serenata to 3200 Coastal Highway)
April 7-8
South Ponte Vedra (2539 South Ponte Vedra Blvd. to Serenata)
April 9-10
Ponte Vedra (51 Ponte Vedra Blvd. to 1461 Ponte Vedra Blvd.)
April 10-11
“The beach tilling involves heavy machinery that plows the beach sand, making it more compatible for successful sea turtle nesting to occur,” said Sloane Stephens, coastal environment project manager. “Tilling is part of the permit monitoring requirements following beach restoration projects. For each area, the tilling will begin at daybreak, and spotters will be utilized to ensure the safety of the public.”
In the past five years, St. Johns County has recorded nearly 5,000 sea turtle nests along its 42-mile coastline. In 2023, the county recorded triple-digit green sea turtle nests on its beaches for the first time, with a total of 133 nests. In 2024, the sea turtle nesting season included a milestone in the presence of four rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests on county beaches.
“This process helps sea turtles successfully dig their nest chambers and strengthens our ecosystem,” said Ashley Raybould, environmental supervisor of the county’s Habitat Conservation Program.
