From May through October, Florida’s beaches become nurseries. Thousands of sea turtles—including Loggerheads and Greens—return to the very sand where they were born to lay their eggs. However, the journey from the nest to the ocean is a gauntlet, and man-made debris is the biggest hurdle.
The "Obstacle Course"
For a hatchling no bigger than your palm, a discarded flip-flop or a tangled fishing line is an insurmountable wall. If a hatchling gets stuck, they become easy prey for birds or succumb to the heat of the morning sun.
How Cleanups Change the Game
By removing large debris and microplastics during nesting season, Salty Soul volunteers "clear the runway." A clean beach means:
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Lower Entanglement Rates: Fewer turtles getting caught in "ghost gear."
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Natural Nesting: Mothers are less likely to experience a "false crawl" (turning back without laying eggs) if the beach is clear of trash.
Visitor Tip: Always knock down your sandcastles and fill in holes before you leave the beach. What's a fun project for you is a canyon for a baby turtle!