The 2024 Adopt-a-Nest season opens May 1, 2024!
Adoptions for the 2024 season begin May 1st and end July 31st.
Adopting a nest at the GTM Research Reserve supports over 25 years of research on Atlantic Green, Leatherback, and Loggerhead sea turtles. Your generous donation helps fund this ongoing research, contributions of data to state, national, and international programs to help protect the marine turtle population, and needed equipment and supplies for the volunteer Sea Turtle Patrol at GTM.
Turtles matter!
Why are sea turtles important to the ecosystem and to us?Happy turtle, happy us!
Sea turtles keep sea grasses healthy by grazing and keep dunes healthy by nesting. Without them, our ecosystems suffer — and we suffer.Lights out!
Why should we keep turtle hatchlings in the dark?Turtle instincts
When sea turtles hatch, they find the ocean by looking for the bright horizon. Make sure that’s in the direction of the ocean by keeping lights off.Who's there?
What kinds of sea turtles live near the GTM Reserve?It's us!
The GTM Research Reserve is home to Loggerheads, Green Turtles, and Leatherbacks.No holes!
What happens to sea turtles if they fall into a hole on the beach?Refill after you dig
A nesting female or recently emerged hatching can easily fall into beach holes often leaving them stranded without food, injured, and at risk from predators. If you play in the sand, make sure to fill in the holes so a sea turtle doesn’t fall in.Don't be trashy
What effect does trash on the beach have on turtles?Pick up that trash!
Nesting females and hatchlings can easily become entangled in fishing line, plastic bags, even plastic drink containers. Even if the trash is not yours, be sure to pick it up to protect our turtle friends.See a turtle?
What do I do if I see a turtle on the beach?Let it be
To report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest or if you see an injured, dead or harassed sea turtle – Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922), cell phone *FWC or #FWC. They know what to do!0 Nests
This is the number of nests the Turtle Patrol has identified and marked for the 2022 season on our beaches.
0 False Crawls
False Crawls are when the female attempts to nest. She digs a nest or part thereof but does not deposit her eggs. For some reason she turns around and returns to the ocean. Often those reasons are due to human interference.
Choose your adoption level
Honorary Turtle Patrol
$1,500annually
- Join our legendary “Turtle Patrol.” Ride or drive the UTV, monitor and/or collect data for research.*
- View an evening nest evaluation with marine turtle specialists! (Up to 4 People)
- Signage on nest with adopting parent’s name(s) on nest during season.
- Emailed photo of YOUR nest showing the marine turtle tracks.
- Mid and end of season updates on nesting activity at the GTM Research Reserve.
- Membership to the Friends of the GTM Reserve.
Proud Turtle Parent
$750annually
- Evening nest evaluation.*
- Signage on nest with adopting parent’s name(s) on nest during season.
- Emailed photo of YOUR nest showing the marine turtle tracks.
- Mid and end of season updates on nesting activity at the GTM Research Reserve.
- Membership to the Friends of the GTM Reserve.
Turtle Guardian
$300annually
- Signage on nest with adopting parent’s name(s) on nest during season.
- Emailed photo of YOUR nest showing the marine turtle tracks.
- Mid and end of season updates on nesting activity at the GTM Research Reserve.
- Membership to the Friends of the GTM Reserve.
Turtle Visitation
$100annually
- Evening nest evaluation visit.*
Volunteer
Want to do more to support the GTM Research Reserve?
Get your hands dirty and your feet wet as a volunteer at the GTM Research Reserve. Whether you know a little or a lot about science - we need you! Volunteer orientations are held once a month and you can hear about the many opportunities to become a part of the GTM family.
Volunteer