After last year’s inaugural Tipsy Turtle was torpedoed by the pandemic, Coastal Connections resolutely picked up where they had left off, hosting a family-friendly, educational Tipsy Turtle 2-Mile Run/Walk along Ocean Drive last Saturday morning.
The nonprofit, founded in 2017 by Kendra Cope, is dedicated to the protection of sea turtles, coastal habitats and wildlife through educational activities, programs and initiatives that safeguard the environment.
Roughly 200 participants gathered in the Ocean Grill parking lot at the start of the race and returned to Sexton Plaza for a morning of eco-centric fun.
“We’re excited to be doing this now to bring awareness of sea turtle nesting season,” said Cope, noting that the nesting season officially runs from March 1 to Oct. 31. “We do already have a couple of leatherback nests on our beaches now, so we have started early, and we’re very excited about it.”
One of the marked leatherback nests is north of Sexton Plaza, a rarity in that location for the largest and one of the least common of sea turtles in Florida, and the hope is that everyone will realize how special it is.
“I believe every marine turtle permit holder will be monitoring it to make sure it remains safe,” said Cope, referencing groups such as theirs that are authorized to do so by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Cope explained that leatherbacks are the earliest nesters and have the longest incubation period – between 70 and 80 days. Loggerheads and green sea turtles have incubation periods of between 50 and 60 days and begin nesting in April and May, respectively.
“The event is more than just a 2-mile race. It’s an educational day to share with our community and to raise awareness of local sea turtle conservation efforts supported by Coastal Connections,” said Cope.
A Hatchling Dash was meant to educate the younger set, ages 9 and under, said Cope. “So, they get to learn what it’s like to be a hatchling and what they have to do to survive as a sea turtle.”
Each of three age groups made a dash across the sand, making their way through volunteers dressed to simulate the dangers faced by sea turtles as they scramble up out of their nests and dash to the water, where an ocean filled with dangers awaits them, before, hopefully, making it back to the beach of their birth to nest.
Threats on land and in the water include natural predators such as raccoons, crabs and sharks, but the greatest hazards are man-made, such as plastic bags, straws and other debris, fishing nets and long-lines, and coastal development and disorienting lights on the beach.
After the race, folks enjoyed music by Donnie Haight, sipped on beer from Sailfish Brewing Co. and mimosas from Mulligan’s Beach House, bid on items in a silent auction, and perused several tables with educational materials.
“As we enter into sea turtle nesting season, don’t forget that every person can have an impact and play a role in the turtle conservation story. Every small behavior or decision that you make does affect our ability to help this species recover,” said Cope.
“This fundraiser is extremely important to us because it helps raise the funds to keep our programs free. Our programs are always offered for free thanks to the generosity of donors or through fundraisers, and we want to be able to continue to offer them at no cost.”
Activities and programs include turtle digs (evaluating hatched nests), nighttime turtle walks, coastal cleanups, a plastic wrap recycle program for businesses, and the Vero Goes Zero initiative which helps transition businesses away from single-use plastics.
For more information, visit coastal-connections.org.
Photos by Brenda Ahearn
