Environmental Programs - Lights Out for Sea Turtles

Lights Out For Sea Turtles

Palmetto Electric supports Lights Out For Sea Turtles, a program designed to protect the nesting areas for the loggerhead sea turtles. Already facing extinction, the species is further endangered by the bright lights of civilization. Sea turtle hatchlings usually emerge from the nest at night. They orient themselves toward the brightest horizon and dash towards the sea. Lights from buildings and streets near the beach disorient the hatchlings, and they wander inland where they often die from exposure or predators. If they don't make it to the ocean quickly, many hatchlings will die of dehydration in the sun or be caught by predators like birds and crabs.

Palmetto Electric supports the efforts of Coastal Discovery and the Town of Hilton Head by shielding lights and installing directional lighting.

Please contact these organizations for more information about the loggerhead sea turtle or to report strandings:

The Coastal Discovery Museum
(843) 689-6767
http://coastaldiscovery.org/pages/sea.htm

Hilton Head Island Marine Turtle Stranding Representatives
Sally Krebs - (843) 341-4690
Ed Drane - (843) 341-4685
http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/Depts/codeenf/loturtle.html

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
General Information - (843) 795-6350
Wildlife Hotline - 1-800-922-5431
http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/marine/turtles/