Record Breaking Number of Sea Turtle Nests on Boca Raton Beaches

countless hours on the beach each morning documenting the nests, nesting female crawls, hatched nests, and have also released over 5,000 hatchlings so far this season. The increase in nest numbers gives us hope for the future of these amazing animals, and it is important that we continue protecting every nest and every hatchling moving forward.” them in a container with damp sand (not water) on the bottom. Bring them to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and place them in the cooler labeled “Hatchling Drop-off” located outside the front door. The drop-off box is checked by staff frequently. If it is nighttime, allow the hatchlings to crawl to the ocean on their own. If it is injured, follow the same steps, and bring them to the “Hatchling Drop-off”.

See a sick or injured turtle? Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Wildlife Hotline at: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or dial *FWC or #FWC on your mobile phone.

Boca Raton, FL – A record number of sea turtle nests have been laid on the beaches of Boca Raton this summer. The Sea Turtle Conservation Team from the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center recently marked the City’s 1,325 nest, breaking the record for the total number of nests on City beaches in one season. More nests are expected in the next two months as nesting season runs March 1 through October 31.

News of the record-breaking number of nests this season reflects the City’s goal of creating a vibrant and sustainable community. Boca Raton has long championed conservation of the natural environment, with policies, initiatives, and outreach efforts that support plant, wildlife, and marine life on the barrier island and mainland. Opportunities for community involvement are also an integral part of the City’s mission.

“The record-breaking nesting numbers seen all over the Palm Beaches this summer are a testament to over 50 years of sea turtle conserva- tion efforts in our community,” said Gumbo Limbo Nature Center Manager Leanne Welch.

“Sea turtle conservation in Boca Raton is an “all hands” effort encompassing employees and volunteers from multiple departments around the city. In fact, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center exists because of the efforts of a group of concerned residents dedicated to protecting our coastline from development.”

Leatherback, Loggerhead and Green sea turtles lay eggs on Boca Raton beaches every year. Each morning during nesting season, the Sea Turtle Conservation Team surveys Boca Raton’s five miles of beaches for any new sea turtle activity from the night before. New nests are recorded with GPS and marked off with stakes and signage to keep the area protected and the eggs safe during the incubation period.

David Anderson, the City’s Sea Turtle Conservation Coordinator, manages the Team. “I can’t say enough about the hard work of our Sea Turtle Conservation Team, who spend

The Sea Turtle Conservation Team has monitored, recorded, and studied sea turtle nesting activity in the City since 1977. The team works to ensure the protection of the coastal environment, providing guidance to the City on issues such as coastal construction, nighttime lighting, beach renourishment, mechanical beach raking, shorebirds, and dune vegetation.

Public programming – including Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s popular Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases and Turtle Walks – allow the public to learn more about the endangered animals and see them in their natural surroundings. The Team also advises the public on what to do if they come across a nest or a sea turtle in need of assistance. Important reminders include:

See a marked nest on the beach? Be mindful around the marked areas on the beach which identify a sea turtle nest, and never disturb nesting turtles, nests, or hatchlings.

Find a hatchling? If it is daytime, place

Founded in 1984, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center serves the community as a destination to promote environmental education, conservation, and stewardship of our coastal ecosystems.

Activities to be enjoyed at the center include walking along a trail through the mangroves, kayaking local waters, and visiting gopher tortoises, aquariums, a butterfly garden and exhibits. The City also organizes beach clean-ups, dune restoration, tree-give aways and other programs that foster community participation and awareness around sustainability.

For more information on sea turtle nesting and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, visit: www. myboca.us/GumboLimbo

For mor information on the City’s commitment to Sustainability, visit: www.myboca. us/Sustainability

Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival Extends To Three Days – October 13, 14 & 15

Boca Raton, FL –The Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival, a much-anticipated annual event celebrating the joys of the Fall season, returns to the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, with an extension to three exciting days and the addition of timed sessions for attendees. Festival-goers can choose among ticket options including:

Friday, October 13 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.;

Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We are thrilled to extend the Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival to three days this year,” said Vanessa Goodis, festival executive producer. “And, we are really excited about our new timed sessions! We have specifically designed these sessions to ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for every visitor, and accommodate various weekend schedules for families and friends. Plus, we will be limiting attendance at each session to allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the festivities without overcrowding, enabling them to make the most of every won - der-FALL moment.”

This seasonal event will feature a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including a giant pumpkin patch in the center of all the action with more than 2,500 pumpkins and a carnival for all ages.

General admission is $27.50 per person for those ages three years and up, and includes unlimited carnival rides, a kiddie cornstalk maze, multiple fall photo vignettes, a scarecrow dress-up village, and sponsor giveaways. Admission is free for children under three years old (does not include access to carnival rides). All tickets (including compli- mentary admission tickets for children under three years old) must be purchased/secured in advance at www.bocapumpkinpatch.com. Attendees must show proof of purchase at the gate via personal device or print out.

For an additional cost, attendees can also enjoy picking the perfect pumpkin in the patch (prices vary based on size); decorating pumpkins at any table throughout the festival with a specially curated Pumpkin Decorating Kit; and yummy offerings in the Pumpkin Food Court featuring savory & sweet pumpkin delights, as well as delicious fair food. Adults can also enjoy pumpkin-inspired craft cocktails or a cold brew at the Pumpkin Beer Garden.

The Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival is a production of Promo Moxie, Inc., organizers of the nationally recognized Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival, lauded as one of the top 20 Best Fall Harvest Festivals & Events by O, The Oprah Magazine, and #2 among the top 29 Best Fall Festivals & Fairs in the U.S. by Country Living. It was named the Best Fall Festival in the state of Florida by Travel+Leisure in 2017.