2021 Town of Edisto Beach Turtle Patrol

The beaches at Edisto welcome nesting loggerhead sea turtles each year, and must balance that presence with all the residents and tourists that also visit the beach. There are three separate turtle patrols for Edisto, at Botany Bay WMA, the Edisto Beach State Park and the Town of Edisto Beach. Joining the Town of Edisto Beach patrol at dawn on July 26, I found out that they walk each day, and the gentle rain shower that drenched our clothes did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm.

Dawn Patrol can include summer showers

Beginning at the pier, the public Town of Edisto Beach includes all of Palmetto Blvd. and Point Street. Did you know that the Town of Edisto Beach supports the beach patrol by promoting the simple message of lights out at night during turtle season. The protections in place for sea turtles are enforced by federal regulations, SCDNR permitting and daily patrols by volunteers. The Town of Edisto Beach recently replaced all the streetlights along the beach with amber-color turtle friendly lights, using a $50,000-grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Kristi Summers is the SCDNR permit holder for sea turtle nest patrols for the Town of Edisto Beach. “The sea turtle nesting season started slow this year due to cooler temps at the start of May,” said Summers. “Our beach at Edisto is designated as an index beach by SCDNR, one with a long record of data, and so our daily walking commitment each turtle season runs from May 1 through October. This is my second year being the permit holder.” 

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Press and Standard.

To view past blog entries about sea turtles click 2019 Record Nest Total for Kiawah - 2019 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins- SCDNR Sea Turtle Trawl - TurtleFest at Edisto Beach State Park - Seabrook Turtle Patrol - Leatherback Sighting - World Sea Turtle Day - SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Release