Thank you for your interest in our Nest Dedications Program. Sea Turtle Patrol HHI is the only program permitted by the state to monitor sea turtle nests and hatchlings on Hilton Head Island’s 14 miles of beach. You can support our efforts by dedicating a nest to yourself or someone you love.
Nest dedications are 100% tax deductible and help fund our organization’s operations and spark interest in sea turtles for all generations.
Nest Dedication recipients will receive an official Sea Turtle Patrol HHI certificate with their assigned nest number. Shipping is available to US addresses only.
Donors and recipients will receive an email after their nest is laid (May 1 – mid-August) with the general nest location, and after their nest is hatched with official nest data.
Send us an email at nestdedications@seaturtlepatrolhhi.org and we’ll respond asap.
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.
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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.
