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The Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program (BCSTCP) is a dedicated initiative operating under Nova Southeastern University (NSU), a private, not-for-profit research university headquartered in Davie, Florida, with a state-of-the-art oceanographic and marine biology research institute in Dania Beach. As part of NSU, our program is entrusted with the vital responsibility of conserving threatened and endangered sea turtles across 24 miles of Broward County beaches.
Our Mission
To contribute to sea turtle conservation through comprehensive beach monitoring, providing thorough and relevant data to local, state, and federal conservation agencies, and actively engaging with our community through outreach and education.
Daily Conservation Efforts
Every morning, from March 1st to October 31st, our team conducts sea turtle nesting surveys along our designated 24 miles of Broward County beaches (excluding Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park). Starting 30 minutes before sunrise, marine turtle specialists patrol by ATV, meticulously documenting all new crawls from the previous night.
When a crawl is found, we determine if it's a false crawl (no eggs deposited) or a nest. For false crawls, we collect data and erase the tracks. If it's a nest, we record essential data, rope off the area with stakes and tape, erase the tracks, and monitor it throughout incubation. About two months later, after the nest hatches, we perform an excavation to assess hatching success.
Protecting Hatchlings from Light Pollution
The Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program actively works to mitigate the threat of artificial light exposure to sea turtles. Streetlights, exterior building lights, and even interior lighting can disorient both adult turtles and hatchlings. Sea turtles navigate by the brightest horizon—the moon, sky, and stars reflecting off the ocean. However, if there is artificial lighting along the coast, sea turtles can get confused, drawing them away from the ocean, sometimes with fatal consequences.
To combat this, we install and monitor restraining cages in high-exposure areas of Broward County. These cages are placed just before a nest is due to hatch. When the hatchlings emerge, the cage safely contains them until our authorized personnel can arrive and release them directly into the ocean.
Broader Conservation Initiatives
In addition to nesting surveys and light pollution mitigation, our program is dedicated to comprehensive sea turtle conservation through various initiatives:
- Responding to sea turtle emergencies and strandings.
- Conducting lighting surveys to monitor beachfront light pollution.
- Leading public education and community outreach events to raise awareness about eh vital importance of endangered sea turtle conservation.
Connect With Us
E-mail: seaturtles@nova.edu
Phone: (954) 262-3672
Sea Turtle Emergency Response Line
If you see a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle or hatchling(s) in Broward County, call (954) 328-0580.
For over 30 years, NSU has been contracted by Broward County to implement and manage the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, which monitors sea turtle nesting activity on over 24 miles of Broward County beaches.
