Saving Sea Turtles….
It’s A Way of Life
Hilton Head Island’s official organization permitted by the State of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to monitor sea turtle nesting and hatching activity.
A 501(c)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Watching over our Island’s most important visitors
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island is a registered 501(c)3 organization (EIN: 82-3642853) that provides annual monitoring and support on Hilton Head Island beaches for sea turtle nesting and hatching activity. Our work is conducted under the direction of SCDNR permit holder, Amber Kuehn. We also provide public education and outreach to promote awareness and to advocate for these endangered species.
2024 nesting season statistics
Hilton Head Island’s First Nest Was Laid on May 9th!
NEST DEDICATIONS!
We are a volunteer organization that depends on donations. Nest dedications are an amazing way to help fund our organization’s operations with the added value of education for the donor and dedication recipient.
When you dedicate a nest to a loved one or fellow sea turtle friend, you will both get updates from our patrol team about your nest throughout the season.
OUR PURPOSE
“ALL THIS THAT YOU SEE IS PART OF OUR ENVIRONMENT… TOGETHER”
“Sea turtles have been on the planet for 80 million years. An animal that can survive that long… they’re a keystone species. If something happens below them on the food chain, they are the indicators. If we can watch the sea turtles and monitor their health and their population, then we will know the health of the ocean as well.
Monitoring
Our dedicated team of trained volunteers record and document turtle nesting and hatching activity under SCDNR MTP566.
Response
Our stranding response team documents or transports stranding, distressed, sick, or injured sea turtles in the Hilton Head Island area. Report Sick or Injured Sea Turtles to SCDNR at 1-800-922-5431.
Education
Our educational, outreach, and advocacy programming helps spread awareness, which is essential to promote the continued existence of these endangered species.
Our ValueS
PROTECTING A FRAGILE SPECIES & ECOSYSTEM
“When you have a species that is so hard to recover because the age of reproduction is 25-30 years old, we have to be very careful…”
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
This is What we do
Our events
Let’s Learn Together
Join us at a community event! We host weekly Turtle Talks during nesting season and have learning tables at events or charitable activities with our local partners.
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
Upcoming events
Stay in touch
SAVING SEA TURTLES
Want to learn more about how you can help the sea turtles visiting Hilton Head Island? Join our mailing list and receive up-to-date information on nesting and our Patrol activities throughout the year.