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Mama sea turtle returning to the ocean after laying on Edisto Beach

You Can Help

Be a turtle saver

Turtle Patrol volunteers locating a sea turtle nest on Edisto Beach

Save the loggerhead turtle!

Loggerhead sea turtles are some of the world's most endangered animals and are considered "vulnerable" to extinction, per the World Wildlife Fund.

 

Loggerheads have been protected under the US Federal Endangered Species Act since 1978 and due to extensive conservation efforts, annual deaths have been significantly reduced. But, we need to do more to ensure that loggerhead sea turtles continue to return to nest on Edisto beaches in the future. 

All funds raised go toward conservation efforts on Edisto Island and in the Lowcountry.

Where money goes

Every dollar you give goes towards saving sea turtles

Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project is entirely staffed by volunteers. Your donation goes toward our efforts to help nesting turtles, hatchlings and stranded sea turtles make it to the ocean. Our efforts and those of other coastal groups like ours contribute to the preservation of these endangered creatures. We use donated funds to underwrite the costs of:

  • Supplies used during turtle season to locate and mark nests

  • Equipment and materials needed by volunteers for dawn and night patrol activities

  • Printing and distribution of educational materials to inform the local public and visitors to Edisto's beaches about endangered turtles and what everyone can do to keep them safe

  • Rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles in cooperation with Charleston Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center

Where your money goes....

Your donation saves turtles

In addition to supporting our local sea turtle protection team, your donation will help fund medical and rehabilitation costs of stranded and injured turtles. 

Recently, Topaz and Caspian, juvenile Kemp's ridley turtles, were injured when they swallowed fishing line after being caught by people fishing off the beach. EBLTP responds to strandings like these, arranges transport for the animals to the SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center and contributes funding for their care.

 

Great news! Topaz fully recovered from her injuries and was released back into the ocean on October 15, 2021. Find out more about her stay at the SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital.

Topaz, a stranded Kemp's Ridley turtle on Edisto Beach

Volunteering for the EBLTP

As a member of the Edisto Beach Turtle Patrol, you will walk a section of the beach with your team on one or more days per week, identifying turtle tracks and locating nests during nesting season and assisting hatchlings later in the season.

 

Section leaders report valuable nest and hatchling data to the SC Department of Natural Resources to analyze the success of conservation efforts all over the state.

Turtle Patrol volunteer with blue gloved hands holding two sea turtle hatchlings.

New volunteer positions are full for 2022 but we are still looking for experienced turtle patrol volunteers.

Donate Form

Donate to protect Edisto Beach sea turtles

If you prefer to donate by mail, please send a check or money order to:

Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project

PO Box 204

Edisto Island, SC 29438

We appreciate your support!

Donor Form 2
Logo of Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project
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