Volunteers needed for beach steward sea turtle washback program

St. Johns County is looking for volunteers to survey wrack lines to recover stranded "washback" sea turtles and conduct beach cleanups from August through November.

Surveying wrack lines means looking for sea turtles that have been washed back onto the shore into seaweed, usually caused by storms or high tide.

The turtles themselves are called "washbacks." They are slightly bigger than hatchlings.

These "washback" turtles are typically dehydrated, tired and need medical attention.

Volunteers will be scheduled for biweekly beach cleanups and will remain on call to survey wrack lines when needed.

All volunteers assisting the Sea Turtle and Beach Steward Program must complete a county volunteer application, pass a background check, possess a valid Florida driver license, complete the online orientation session and attend one mandatory survey training that is conducted on the beach.

Trainings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

• Aug. 14 / 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. / Surfside Beachfront Park, 3070 Coastal Highway.
• Aug. 23 / 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. / Butler Beachfront Park, 5860 A1A South.
• Aug. 28 / 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. / South Ponte Vedra Recreation Area, 2993 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd.

Children under the age of 18 are welcome to volunteer, but they must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

For more information, please visit the St. Johns County Sea Turtle and Beach Steward Volunteer webpage at www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx, or call (904) 209-3740.

All trainings are subject to cancellation due to weather events.

Cox Media Group