Sea turtle team paints stakes ahead of nesting season
Nearly 20 Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation sea turtle program volunteers recently gathered to prepare for the 2021 sea turtle nesting season, which officially begins April 15, officials reported.
Volunteers and staff met on March 2 and 4 to repaint wooden stakes used to mark sea turtle nests. It could not be completed in one session, as it has in the past, due to social gathering limits.
“In five two-hour shifts over two separate days, the entire process of cleaning, painting and stacking thousands of stakes was finished,” SCCF Coastal Wildlife Biologist Jack Brzoza said.
Groups of four volunteers, spread out over well-separated painting stations, chatted with each other across their individual stations and socialized safely.
“These dedicated volunteers graciously donated their time and effort while remaining excited and upbeat,” he said. “For many, this marks the unofficial beginning of the season, and our staff and volunteers are excitedly anticipating the arrival of turtles on our beaches.”