South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor: Conservation and Research ~ Get Involved

Around the world sea turtles have been used for food, tools

and decorative items for centuries. This use has had a negative impact on sea turtles and

of the five species found in the Southeastern Atlantic, all of them are either threatened or endangered.
You can help protect these amazing animals:

Continue to support organizations like the South Carolina Aquarium by being a member, donor or volunteer.

During nesting season, minimize artificial lighting from beach front homes and avoid using flashlights on the beach.

Remove recreational equipment from the beach overnight

Properly dispose of plastic bags and Styrofoam and avoid using balloons since all can be mistaken for food.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Program provides a place for injured sea turtles to receive care, treatment and medicines. With your support, we can continue our efforts to sustain these species into the next century and beyond. Donate Online	Adopt a stranded sea turtle and provide expert medical care to threatened and endangered sea turtles. Learn more	Learn more and support the Sea Turtle Rescue Program on your next visit - go on a behind the scenes tour of the hospital. Learn more	If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, contact the local police department or call the SC Department of Natural Resources hotline at 1-800-922-5431.

You might see orange South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) nest protection signs along the dunes marking turtle nests throughout the summer. Be sure not to get too close! Under the sand there might be about 120 sea turtle eggs the size of ping-pong balls waiting to hatch. Keeping our beaches dark by minimizing artificial lighting from beachfront homes and free of obstructions (beach chairs, tents and large holes) during the nesting season is an important way to help hatchling sea turtles survive and reach the ocean.
For more information on South Carolina Sea Turtle Nesting Numbers, visit www.dnr.sc.gov/seaturtle/nest.htm

Together with management from the SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program, more than 20 turtle teams look for signs of nests and gather information to determine the nesting habits of loggerheads and estimate how the sea turtle population is doing in South Carolina.

South Carolina's Turtle Teams:

Cape Island	Hunting Island
Dewees Island	Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island
Edisto Island	Kiawah Island
Folly Beach	Seabrook Island
Fripp Island	Waties Island

Learn More About the SCDNR Sea Turtle Projects