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In the News

In the News | Media

WSAV News 3 | How did sea turtles on HHI fare through Debby

BySusan Ortega August 11, 2024August 11, 2024

Amber Kuehn tells WSAV’s Danielle Cobb about how the sea turtles on Hilton Head beaches were impacted by tropical storm Debby.

Read More WSAV News 3 | How did sea turtles on HHI fare through DebbyContinue

In the News | Media

NBC News Interview with Amber

BySusan Ortega June 22, 2024August 11, 2024

Watch the NBC News interview with Amber and hear about how volunteers in South Carolina are helping study threatened sea turtles.

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In the News

The Next Generation: Where There Are Moms, There Are Children

BySTPHHI June 1, 2024September 26, 2024

Read Amber’s article from the CH2 about “The Next Generation”, Sea Turtle Patrol HHI’s theme for 2024.

Read More The Next Generation: Where There Are Moms, There Are ChildrenContinue

In the News | Media

WHHI NEWS | Amber Kuehn: Beginning of Sea Turtle Nesting Season

BySTPHHI May 20, 2024September 26, 2024

Watch for updates on sea turtle nesting season with Amber from WHHI.

Read More WHHI NEWS | Amber Kuehn: Beginning of Sea Turtle Nesting SeasonContinue

In the News | Media

All About Sea Turtles with Amber

BySTPHHI May 18, 2024September 26, 2024

Join Amber with the Town of Hilton Head Island to learn fun sea turtle facts and discover how you can help make this nesting season a success.

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In the News | Media

WJCL Features STPHHI!

BySTPHHI May 14, 2024October 17, 2024

Riley Miller with WJCL reports on Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island sharing reminders for visiting the beach and celebrating our first nest of the season.

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In the News | Media

‘Tipsy Turtle’

BySTPHHI May 5, 2024September 26, 2024

Burnt Church Distillery is raising money for STPHHI this month. Watch this WTOC interview with Amber and learn all about it!

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Report Sick or Injured Sea Turtles to SCDNR at 1-800-922-5431
Copyright © 2026 Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, all rights reserved.
P.O. Box 23434, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925
EIN: 82-3642853
Click here
Laurus Leatherback

Gretta Green

A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) encountered around Hilton Head Island represents one of the world’s largest hard‑shelled marine reptiles, known for their herbivorous diet and reliance on warm, shallow coastal habitats. Although loggerheads dominate South Carolina nesting activity, juvenile green turtles forage in the region’s estuaries, where seagrass and algae provide essential nutrition. Like all reptiles, green turtles are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature depends on the surrounding water. When sudden winter cold fronts push water temperatures below roughly 50°F (10°C), turtles can experience cold‑stunning, a hypothermic state in which they become lethargic, lose the ability to swim, and may float to the surface or wash ashore. Cold‑stunned turtles are vulnerable to drowning, boat strikes, and predation, and require rapid rescue to prevent secondary complications such as pneumonia or shock. Conservation groups along the Southeast coast monitor for these events, as even a single cold snap can impact multiple species—including green turtles—within the island’s interconnected marshes and tidal creeks. Understanding cold‑stunning helps highlight how sensitive sea turtles are to temperature shifts and why protecting their habitats is essential for long‑term survival.

Myrtle
Myrtle the Turtle is a beloved icon on Hilton Head Island! Myrtle is a female loggerhead sea turtle famous for laying more nests than any other turtle, inspiring local conservation efforts, and featured in sculptures and children’s stories to educate visitors about protecting sea turtles, especially by keeping beaches dark at night during nesting season.
She’s known as “Fertile Myrtle” because she nests frequently, even more than the typical two-year cycle, laying numerous nests on Hilton Head.
She’s been nesting on the island since at least 2011 and is at least 60 years old, making her a significant figure in local marine biology.
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  • About Us
    • Our Organization
    • Sea Turtle FAQs
    • How to Help
    • Community Impact
    • Sea Turtle Friendly Program
  • Events
  • Nest Dedications
  • News & Updates
    • News & Updates
    • Photo & Video Gallery
  • Contact