Black Skimmers Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch
and Shore Bird Monitoring
2213 Avenue B
Bradenton Beach, Florida 34217
Office: 941-778-5638
Emergencies: 941-232-1405		 Rescued from sea oat roots
Morning nesting beach tours of Anna Maria Island are conducted during the early morning hours of June, July & August. Please contact Turtle Watch to make a reservation call
941 778 5638.

     or email  islandturtles

      
 Beach Class
Our Mission Statement:

In partnership with the Island Community through public education and cooperation, it is the mission of the AMI Turtle watch to assure a suitable habitat for people, sea turtles & shorebirds, the ecosystem of the island and it's surrounding waters. 
Shore Bird Monitoring

Photogallery

Friendly Web Sites		 Featured Volunteer

AMI Nest Statistics as of 9/15/2009

The Girl Scouts Observe a Nest Excavation

AMITW Volunteer Resource Page
Sample Certificate

Adopt a Nest & Adopt a Hatchling Programs that give the gift that keeps on giving

or Email islandturtles


If you find an exposed Nest:
Do not attempt to collect the eggs yourself, call one of the agencies listed below

If you find a hatchling:  
Make note of the location where you found it.
Put it in a container on damp sand (not in water or air conditioning) Cover container with a cloth. Call one of the numbers listed below.

What to report: Dead or injured sea turtles, exposed eggs, unmarked nests· AMITW  @ 941-778-5638 or  emergency cell # 232-1405 · FFWCC @ 800-342-5367  

Or call any island law enforcement agency. If you find anyone harassing a sea turtle or disturbing a nest, call your local law enforcement.  

We are swamped with calls concerning the oil disaster in the Gulf.  Here is the the link that will coordinate all volunteer activities.

Please check this out and let us know how this site works for you.

http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/

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Beach Etiquette

How You Can Help Sea Turtles

Nesting sea turtles depend on dark quiet beaches to reproduce successfully. Today these turtles are endangered in part because they must compete with tourists, businesses and coastal residents to use the beach. Man-made coastal development may result in artificial lighting on the beach that discourages female sea turtles from nesting and can disorient hatchlings causing them to wander away from the beach where they often die of dehydration, predation or even from being  run over if they cross roads.

Minimize lighting visible from sea turtle nesting beaches.  Use Turtle Safe lighting. For more information go to:   This link

  • Do not approach or position yourself around an adult turtle coming out of the water to nest. You may startle her and she may return to the water without nesting.
  • Avoid using flashlights or flash cameras. Lights disrupt or disorient nesting turtles and emerging hatchlings.
  • Avoid hatchlings emerging from a nest. They are small and easily stepped on in the dark.
  • Do not drive any unauthorized vehicles on the beach at night.
  • If you find a live hatchling on the shore call AMITW @ 778 5638.  Pick up litter, fill in holes and never leave furniture or debris laying on the beach
  • Adopt-a-Hatchling or Adopt-a-Nest through www.islandturtles.com to help raise awareness.
  •  Turn off or shield lights visible from nesting beaches.
  • If disoriented hatchlings are found away from the sea, do not put them back in the sea. Call AMITW @ 941 778 5638 or local law enforcement.

 

 Anna Maria Turtle Watch recieves letter of appreciation and letter of Resolution from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Letter of Appreciation

Resolution


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