October 7, 2018

Dear Hilton Head Island Nest Adopters and friends,

While we wait for the final 3 nests to hatch and be inventoried, just a quick word of thanks to you – our amazing nest adopters!

We cannot say enough about the actions and support for the sea turtles that we have seen from our army of adopters.  From 44 states and 5 countries, you have been spreading the word, sharing your enthusiasm, and taking action for the preservation of the special endangered creatures that nest on the Hilton Head Island beaches.  You are awesome!

For example, there is Elise from Minnesota – an 8 year old who has requested for several years that her birthday gift $$ be donated to specified wildlife endeavors.  This year was the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project.  While on Hilton Head, she also visited the aquarium in Charleston so she could see the sea turtle hospital.  Way to go, Elise

And Kyle and Jessica from Georgia, long time adopters who are now expert enough to make sea turtle presentations to local classrooms and at the library:

My favorite is this picture of the note that Kyle and Jessica wrote in the sand to remind everyone to leave the nest alone:

Many classrooms around the country, including our local elementary school, have raised money to adopt nests so teachers can help their students understand the plight of endangered species.  (Many parents and grandparents also adopt for their children’s or grandchildren’s class – very cool gift!)  Thank you!

I love when the teachers share their classroom sea turtle project artwork with us:

Speaking of helping the sea turtles, two couples who are adopters, followed the lead of other local neighborhoods, and started an evening patrol group this summer to make the north end of the island free of holes and trash so the sea turtles could nest and hatch.  The North End Sea Turtle (NEST) Trackers are cleaning up the beach and helping educate our locals and tourists alike. Thank you, Lisa and Don, and Chris and Cindy!

Robbie Bunting and Jane Hyers of Hilton Head Properties Realty and Rentals who adopt a nest for each of their clients.  Fantastic introduction to the island!  And we are so grateful to the law firm Winston and Strawn who spread the HHI sea turtle word to their staff in New York, Illinois, Texas and California offices.  Yeah, Allan!!

There are way too many more to mention here…..but on behalf of the Coastal Discovery Museum and the Sea Turtle Protection Project, our heartfelt thanks!!!  I’ll be sending you all a final report on the season in the next few weeks – or whenever our late nest finally hatches (it is still only at 39 incubation days!)

Again, many thanks –

Andrea

Andrea B. Siebold

Sea Turtle Nest Adoption Coordinator

Coastal Discovery Museum

843-415-2211

andreabsiebold@gmail.com

www.coastaldiscovery.org

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Ready for some family fun on our beach?  Hilton Head Properties R and R has adopted four Sea Turtle nest on the beach!  Find one(or all) of our nests and we will register you to win a big comfy beach towel. One beach towel drawing will be made every week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  Island visitors, guests and friends are welcome to participate!  Register for as many of our nests as you can find!   Please read more below! Read the rest of this entry