Now that Sea Turtle nesting season has begun, it’s important to consider your impact on the beaches of South Carolina. Turtles come ashore May through October and can lay as many as one hundred twenty eggs in a nest along the sand dunes.
Turtles and their hatchlings use the blue and green wavelengths of light reflecting off the ocean to navigate their way back to sea. Unfortunately, artificial light sources, such as street lights, pool lights, flashlights, and even light pollution from a glowing cityscape can disorient the turtles making them more susceptible to predators and exhaustion. There are light fixtures that are sea turtle friendly. DNR’s Marine Turtle Conservation Program wants you to remember lights out for loggerheads along the coast!