About
Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol is a group of community volunteers who monitor sea turtle nests on a 4.6-mile stretch of beach in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida permitted under the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Turtle Research and Management program. This statewide program administers permits to individuals or groups focused on sea turtle conservation and nest monitoring.
During nesting season, volunteers patrol our 4.6 miles of beach each morning beginning April 15 through October 31 (or when the final nest hatches). We begin patrol 30 minutes before sunrise, marking and monitoring all sea turtle nests laid on our stretch of beach. If you see us on the beach, be sure to say hello!
Volunteers conducting a nest evaluation.
A newly laid Loggerhead nest.
A new Loggerhead nest with female returning to the ocean.
Existing nests are checked daily for impacts or changes that may affect their success - predation by other animals, washovers from high tides, or signs of emergence. After a nest emerges (hatches) it is evaluated 3 days later to conduct a Nest Productivity Assessment (NPA). During an evaluation, we dig up the contents of the nest and organize them into categories to determine the success rate of the nest. During some evaluations, we invite the public to watch and learn about what we do, but if you see us conducting one at any point, feel free to come up and say hello! Occasionally, we find hatchlings remaining in the egg chamber that are released immediately if timing, conditions, and the health of the hatchlings allow. To learn about the next public nest evaluation, please visit our Events page or Facebook page.
A newly marked Green turtle nest.
A public nest evaluation.
What We Do
Nest Monitoring
Each morning during sea turtle nesting season, MLTP volunteers patrol the beach, marking and monitoring sea turtle nests. Marking and monitoring nests helps us understand sea turtle populations and assist in making informed decisions on how best to protect them.
Once a nest hatches, our volunteers conduct an evaluation or Nest Productivity Assessment (NPA), by digging into the already hatched nest and determining the success rate of the nest. Together with other sea turtle groups, we work to understand sea turtle populations throughout the State of Florida.
Data Collection
Collecting data is a key component to understanding what is happening with sea turtle populations. In addition to monitoring the number of sea turtle nests on our beach and the success rate of each, we support research scientists with collecting critical data points so we can understand ways to better protect sea turtles and the beach ecosystem.
Currently, we collect samples that assist in understanding Loggerhead foraging grounds, nest site fidelity & maternal lineage, and exploring non-invasive strategies in collecting biological data. These research projects are permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Community Education
We promote best practices on how our community can help protect sea turtles, and provide opportunities for our guests to see what we do, particularly at nest evaluations later in the nesting season.
At several nest evaluations each season, we invite our community to witness our Nest Productivity Assessment (NPA). During the evaluation, we share facts, stories, and knowledge about sea turtles. Events can be found on our Events page or Facebook page, and we provide up to a 3-day advance notice of the evaluation.