VISIT A LOCAL SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL REHAB CENTER

August 28, 2015
Brunswick Forest

You can enjoy coastal living and all of the elements that go along with a coastal lifestyle when you move to the award-winning master-planned community of Brunswick Forest! As a resident of Brunswick Forest, you will enjoy easy access to area beaches and enjoyment of the local aquatic wildlife like loggerhead sea turtles. Sea turtles are an important species to the North Carolina coast, but their existence is threatened by environmental factors, commercial fishing and habitat disruption. Some local groups have taken measures to help these beautiful sea creatures, including the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach.

TURTLE

Photo courtesy the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

SEA TURTLE NESTING ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST
Sea Turtles nest on local area beaches from May until August. Each female turtle can come ashore to nest three to five times a season and deposits around 150 eggs per nest. During nesting season, it is very important that local residents keep beaches dark at night. Sea turtles like to nest after dark and lights from homes and businesses can disorient the nesting mothers as well as the new hatchlings.

TURTLES

CCBY US Fish and Wildlife Service https://www.flickr.com/people/usfwsnortheast/

SEA TURTLE SPECIES
There are eight different species of sea turtles and five of these eight can be found off the North Carolina coast. Loggerhead turtles are the most common, but green, leatherback, ridley and hawksbill turtles also roam the North Carolina coastal waters. The Karen Beasley Center cares for all types of sea turtles who have been rescued due to various reasons like injuries or illness.

VISIT THE CENTER
Visit the center and take a tour of the unique facilities. Educational tours are open to the public five days a week, June through September between 1 and 4 pm. While you are there, visit the gift shop, where proceeds go toward helping the rescued turtles.

888.371.2434
www.BrunswickForest.com