DATE: July 2, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Kiel
Environmental Planning and Community Resilience
PHONE: 954-519-1255
EMAIL: ckiel@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The traditional celebration of our nation's independence has evolved over the last 239 years to include fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, concerts, and relaxing with family and friends. In Broward, many of these traditions take place on the beach during a critical time of year for our local nesting sea turtles. Sea turtles have roamed what we now know as the Atlantic Ocean for more than two hundred million years and for 99.99 percent of this time it was a naturally dark environment where the only light came from the sun, stars, and fire. Today, the beaches have drastically changed in a relatively short 50 years due to coastal development that has introduced artificial lighting to our beaches.
Turtles are not used to artificial illumination and it can confuse and misdirect sea turtle mothers and hatchlings. This artificial lighting includes fireworks and there are simple precautions that should be taken to help maintain a suitable nesting habitat for our coastal sea turtle neighbors:
1) Watch a professional fireworks display instead of lighting your own. It will likely be safer and more extravagant.
2) Light only legal fireworks, away from the beach; this includes sparklers, fountains, and glow worms. All other fireworks are prohibited in the state of Florida.
3) If brief illumination is absolutely needed on the beach use a red or amber LED or red filtered flash light.
4) Before leaving the beach, pick up everything you brought with you including trash, plastic and beach furniture. Trash bins are generally located at various public beach access points for your convenience.
5) Fill in sand holes and ruts that can trap and kill sea turtles. Burying your friend can be a lot of fun but the hole left when they escape can cause problems for beach goers and turtles.
6) Immediately call the sea turtle emergency line 954-328-0580 if any turtles are observed the evening of the 4th. Extra precautions will be taken on this night due to the popularity of traditional beach events and activities.
For more information on how to help create a more sustainable environment for sea turtles, contact the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program at 954-519-1255. If you see any turtles in distress, please contact the sea turtle emergency line immediately at 954-328-0580.
About Environmental Planning and Community Resilience
Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County's natural resources through coordinated management efforts in five areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information, call 954-519-1270, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.
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