June 1st, 2020
June Newsletter
Friends of the Carr Refuge COVID-19 Update
Normally, Friends of the Carr Refuge is very active during the nesting season with many amazing events. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most of these events and we wanted to offer an update on their status.

March into Turtle Season: Postponed
Turtle Walks: Postponed
Turtle Digs: Currently on schedule to have during August/September 2020

Any updates on the status of these events will be given as it becomes available through our emailing list, Facebook, and Instagram pages. If you are not already, please join our mailing list and follow us on our social media pages using the links provided below.

Thankfully the stay at home order does not prohibit sea turtles from nesting! Like always, the turtles have been very busy.
Nesting Season has begun!
Nesting season has begun on the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge! Despite COVID-19 regulations, our beloved sea turtles are back for another fantastic year on the beach!

The nesting season began in March with the arrival of our Leatherbacks! The latest compilation of nest counts throughout the Refuge (pictured right) shows Leatherback nests are up from this time last year, 37 to 32.

Loggerhead sea turtles are the next species to begin nesting on our beaches. The Archie Carr Refuge is the most significant nesting location for Loggerhead sea turtles in the world, so there is no surprise when seeing higher nest counts for our Loggerheads at this point in the season.

Green sea turtles are the last to arrive and the last to nest on the Refuge, with the nesting season running until October. Chris Long of UCF noted that the first Green turtle nest was found on May 12, 2020. Usually the first Green nest is found in the last week of May, making this the second earliest date that a Green nest has been found!
What can you do during nesting season to help protect sea turtles?
Nesting season is such an exciting time along the Archie Carr Refuge! It may have you wondering what you can do for our nesting sea turtles and how to get involved.

Amazingly there is a lot you can do!
  • If you are walking along the beach and find a sea turtle, nesting or hatching, it is important to keep your distance and try not to disturb them.
  • If you see a struggling sea turtle call FWC at 888-404-3922.
  • Pick up any trash or debris you find on that could cause harm to a sea turtle.
  • Lights out May 1st through October 31st.
  • Donate to organizations supporting sea turtles!
World Reef Awareness Day
June 1, 2020
On World Reef Day we recognize how important yet delicate our oceans coral reefs are. Coral reefs play a vital role in sustaining the health of our oceans for many reasons. They provide protective habitat for many organisms, and support a thriving food chain. They also sustain life outside of our oceans by protecting lands from coastal erosion and contributing to a thriving fishing industry. The benefits of coral reefs are immense and continually expanding. However coral reefs are declining rapidly due to human practices and climate change.

Join the #worldreefday movement and spread awareness about how we can make different choices today to save our reefs for tomorrow!

Photo: NOAA
"Green sea turtle with launch pad in the background"
Photo: USFWS/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge Spotlight
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Looking for a fun outdoor activity? Look no further, just a short drive north from Archie Carr Refuge is Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge! With tons of activities for visitors there is no question as to why this Refuge is one of the most visited in the U.S.

Did you know that NASA actually sits in the middle of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?! In the early 1960s, 140,000 acres of land was acquired to develop the Space Station on Merritt Island. Shortly after, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed an agreement to manage the unused portion of the land as a wildlife refuge. Today, over 1,500 species of plants and animals call the Refuge home!

We hope all our Friends had the opportunity to watch the historical launch out of the space center on Saturday! If not, you can immerse yourself in the history by visiting Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, right next to all the action.
Curious about joining Friends of the Carr Refuge?

If you are not already a member, we invite you to join us today! Helping the Carr turtles is not the only benefit of membership. Normally, we plan "members only" events throughout the year and offer early registration to members for our Turtle Walks and Digs! Use the button below to learn about our various membership levels or make a one-time donation. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook and Instagram!