As Floridians and visitors head to the coast to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking everyone to help protect Florida’s fragile coastal wildlife — especially nesting sea turtles, shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds — by being mindful during beach festivities.
Nesting season is still underway for many of Florida’s imperiled species, and the FWC is urging the public to take simple but meaningful actions to avoid disrupting these animals during this critical time.
Florida’s beaches are prime nesting grounds in the spring and summer for several threatened and endangered sea turtles, including loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles. Rare Kemp’s ridley turtles are also occasionally seen nesting on the state’s shores. Meanwhile, shorebirds like black skimmers, least terns, snowy plovers, and American oystercatchers nest in shallow scrapes in the sand. Mangrove islands and coastal habitats also support colonies of herons, egrets, and other wading birds.
Seven Ways to Be a Holiday Hero on Florida’s Coasts:
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Skip the Personal Fireworks: Fireworks may be fun for humans but can disorient nesting sea turtles and shorebirds and frighten hatchlings and chicks. Enjoy official public displays instead, and leave personal fireworks at home.
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Keep Your Distance: If you spot a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings, give them space—at least 50 feet. Avoid interfering with their nesting or journey to the water. Disturbing turtles, their eggs, or hatchlings is illegal and harmful.
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Avoid Bird Nests: Watch your step and walk around beach-nesting birds, which often nest directly in the sand. Their nests and chicks are well camouflaged and vulnerable. Stay at least 300 feet away and never chase or flush them from their nests.
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Respect Posted Areas: Heed signs that mark protected nesting zones for both birds and turtles, including Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs). Boaters and beachgoers should keep noise low and give roosting or nesting birds space.
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Leave the Beach Clean: Pack up all trash, toys, and beach furniture daily. Fill in any holes to prevent entrapment and obstacles for wildlife. Even small litter or food scraps can attract predators or entangle turtles and birds.
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Turn Off the Lights: Artificial lighting on or near the beach can disorient nesting sea turtles and hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean. Use long, low, and shielded lighting, and avoid using flashlights or flash photography at night.
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Keep Pets Away from Wildlife: Even well-behaved pets can disturb nesting birds. Leave pets at home or keep them leashed and far from nesting areas. This is especially important during noisy holidays like the Fourth of July.
Learn More and Report Issues
To learn more about nesting waterbirds, visit MyFWC.com/Shorebirds or check out the Florida Shorebird Alliance at FLShorebirdAlliance.org. For sea turtle nesting tips, visit MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.
If you observe someone disturbing wildlife or find an injured or stranded sea turtle, contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
This holiday, celebrate with care and become a true beach hero — for Florida’s sea turtles, shorebirds, and future generations.
