Lights out at 10

Its that time of the year again on Folly Beach..hatching of sea turtles and officials are asking for your help!

The Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program states some of the recently hatched Sea Turtles did not successfully make it to the ocean due to being attracted by surrounding artificial light.

Baby Sea Turtles,  known as hatchlings, embark on a dangerous journey from their nest into the water a few days after they’ve hatched. Hatchlings typically embark on this journey at nighttime, to lower the chances to be eaten by a predator or overheat. The baby turtles use cues to find the ocean, such as the slope of the beach, white crests of waves and the natural light of the ocean horizon.

This year officials are asking residents who live on the beach to turn out their artificial lights between 10 pm and dawn May 1st through October 31st. Minimizing artificial light provides less confusion for the hatchling during their journey from the nest to the ocean. The best way to do your part is before bed turn off all lights facing the ocean (including carports) and close blinds of oceanfront rooms.

The watch program wants you to remember “After nine, its turtle time”!

To read more about the efforts and the sea turtles check out this article: https://www.live5news.com/2019/08/26/newly-hatched-turtles-heading-toward-buildings-instead-ocean-folly-beach-2/?utm_source=CHStoday&utm_campaign=5bd9a0e09c-08.28.2019+CHS&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cba3ac251c-5bd9a0e09c-142089921