For years Boca Raton has been heralded as one of the most beautiful destinations for travelers from all over the globe. With the first day of Spring being today and spring break for college students around the country being last week theres no question as to why they choose our little stretch of heaven. Trip Advisor currently ranked local South Inlet Park Beach in the top 10 things to do while in Boca, its no wonder why tourists flock to the beach this time of year.
However beginning this month a two mile stretch of beach is receiving a face lift. For anyone who has been to Boca Raton beaches within the last week, the construction equipment and orange fences gave a clear giveaway that something was going on. Coastal Management, a group of city employees dedicated to maintaining our coastline is going to be pumping sand from the ocean back onto the beach. This project will help with erosion due to storms brought about by the rainy season and will also give more area for beach goers this season to enjoy. Conservation efforts have proved successful further up the coast in Delray Beaches and as far as Jupiter Inlet. However with sea turtle season already underway, what does this mean for nesting mothers?
Dr. Kirt Rusenko, Marine Conservationist at Gumbo Limbo been working to help preserve the sea turtle population here in the area and stated while construction is going on, their efforts will not be put on hold. Nesting season runs from the first week of March until the end of October with city wide measures implemented throughout those months including studies of areas with high light pollution, nests in areas affected by predation and alteration of dune vegetation.
Dr. Rusenko and other employees of Gumbo Limbo walk the beaches every morning to search for signs of sea turtle nesting. While there are no nests yet, Rusenko gave BocaNews.com some insight into the process once one comes about during the re-nourishment project. . “The first nest will trigger our contracted biologist to closely monitor the nest. We then build an artificial nest, out of harms way and re-nest the eggs safely. We then continue to monitor the nest throughout [until the eggs are hatched].” Dr. Rusenko stated.
Dr. Rusenko also stated that the permit process is very extensive and there are definitely hoops to jump through in order to receive permission for the re nourishment project, however it shouldn’t affect the sea turtles this season. Loggerheads usually nest in mid-April until May 1st so that will leave a two week period in which Dr. Rusenko and his dedicated staff of Marine Turtle Specialists will be on high alert for nests.
Gumbo Limbo has been an important part of sea turtle conservation in the area for some time now with over 200 volunteers! Gumbo Limbo encourages anyone to volunteer and the process is very simple. Volunteers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining enclosures on the property, rehabilitating turtles under the supervision of staff and also help in many other ways with other marine life on the grounds.
But for many who see Boca Raton as a true gem of South Florida, this project will not deter them in the least from getting out and enjoying the sunshine. In order to continue being one of the hottest beaches on the east coast, projects such as this are needed.
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