Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge

05/19/2026

Guided Nighttime Sea Turtle Walks start June 1st and we still have some openings! If you've ever wanted a chance to watch a loggerhead turtle nest, come join us at the Barrier Island Center in Melbourne Beach, FL! Walks take place at the Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge, the most dense loggerhead nesting beach in the world! Info and sign-up: https://conserveturtles.org/.../sea-turtle-walk-agreement/

Photo by Lazaro Ruda

Guided Nighttime Sea Turtle Walks start soon and we still have some openings! If you've ever wanted a chance to watch a loggerhead turtle nest, come join us in Melbourne Beach, FL! Walks take place at the Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge, the most dense loggerhead nesting beach in the world! Info and sign-up: https://conserveturtles.org/form-page/sea-turtle-walk-agreement/

Photo by Lazaro Ruda

05/13/2026

During the IRL Eyes on Seagrass Stewardship Workshop survey today adjacent to the Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary trail, we observed shoal grass, Johnson's grass and star grass. They were in similar areas to our observations from our survey in 2025. We were happy to see that we didn't lose the seagrass over the past year. We also observed a dolphin, mojarra, snapper, sheepshead, pipefish, crown conch, tunicates, McLaughlin's hermit crab and the thin-striped hermit crab. Glad to see life out there! Photo and video credit: Bryan Ames.

05/06/2026

Sarah Rhodes-Ondi and Joy Winet recently presented at the FMSEA: Florida Marine Science Educators Association annual conference at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. We were excited to connect with marine science education professionals from all over Florida and share the success we have had with our new Sea Turtle STEM Outreach kits in the Archie Carr Refuge community.

04/18/2026

Thank you to the Living Docks team for a fun Oyster Mat Making Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge Stewardship Workshop. Our volunteers made 18 oyster mats that will be deployed at the Hog Point Cove Sanctuary dock tomorrow. Join us to restore the Indian River Lagoon! Sign-up for the April 18th installation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/living-dock-installation-at-hog-point-cove-tickets-1985830150437

04/09/2026

ACTION ALERT‼️ Please tell your House Representative to vote NO on the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897) next week!

The Endangered Species Act, the most effective legal tool available to protect our sea turtles, would be gutted by this bill. H.R. 1897 aims to weaken habitat protections, undercut scientific review, and make it harder to protect endangered and threatened species facing extinction. We have learned that this bill could be heard in the House as early as next week. We need sea turtle supporters far and wide to tell U.S. House members to vote NO on this bad bill!

ACTION ALERT‼️ Please tell your House Representative to vote NO on the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897) next week!

The Endangered Species Act, the most effective legal tool available to protect our sea turtles, would be gutted by this bill. H.R. 1897 aims to weaken habitat protections, undercut scientific review, and make it harder to protect endangered and threatened species facing extinction. We have learned that this bill could be heard in the House as early as next week. We need sea turtle supporters far and wide to tell U.S. House members to vote NO on this bad bill!

Sea turtles do not have a voice when decisions like these are made, so it is our job to stand up for them. If you have never weighed in on legislative policy before, now is the time! Please sign the Endangered Species Coalition’s action alert at the link below or in our bio and call the office of your House member and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 1897!

03/24/2026

Leatherbacks are back in the Archie Carr Refuge! Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge is excited for another nesting season.

The leatherbacks are HERE!

We found our first nest on the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge portion of our study area yesterday!

Here are some reminders as the nesting season picks up:

• Do not disturb turtles and their nest area. Nesting females are easily spooked by people and can abandon their nesting attempt. Our crew uses the tracks in the sand each morning to understand and document each crawl. As a reminder, we DO NOT mark every nest in our area. If you encounter an unmarked nest please do not alter it in any way, including placing sticks in the sand.

• Leave the beach DARK, FLAT, and CLEAN! Make sure no artificial lighting is visible from the beach (close your curtains or switch to turtle friendly lighting)!

• Knock down your sand castles and fill in your holes.

• Properly dispose of your trash and bring beach furniture home. The turtles thank you!

• If you see a sick or injured turtle on the beach please call the FWC Wildlife Hotline at 888-404-3922.

📸Photo by Franko Solis: Leatherback nest found by our survey crew. Photo taken while conducting permitted research activities. Please do not use our photos without permission, but please do like and share our posts!

03/16/2026

Thank you to the 91 golfers, 16 volunteers, 23 sponsors and donors especially our Grand Sponsor, Conservancy Friends of Aquarina and our host, Aquarina Beach and Country Club for making our 14th Annual Tee Off for Turtles a success! Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge raised over $12,000 to support our education, conservation and stewardship programs to help sea turtles survive in the Archie Carr Refuge. Photo credit: Chris Grant.

02/26/2026

Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge at the Barrier Island Center is hiring three college students and two high school students for paid summer Conservation Career Training Internships. Gain marketable job skills this summer. Check out the complete job description and application at this link https://conserveturtles.org/program/barrier-island-center/
Application deadline is March 16, 2026. Applicants must be 16 years or older. Thank you to the Disney Conservation Fund, Doris M. Carter Family Foundation and the Conservancy Friends of Aquarina for supporting our paid internship program.

02/21/2026

Ocean Treasures Festival is happening now! Come on out to support our partners, artists, authors, food vendors and speakers 10 am to 4 pm. Event and raffle to benefit the Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Archie Carr Refuge.

02/19/2026

Join us this Saturday for Ocean Treasure's Festival at the Barrier Island Center from 10 am to 4 pm!