Turtle Power! Learn About the Real Heroes on a Half Shell During World Sea Turtle Month
Beach goers all along the Gulf know that early Summer is a great time for turtle-watching and turtle events. It’s also an important time to watch out for turtle mamas making nests to lay many, many eggs. The University of Florida’s Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research is the place to be to learn even more about these fabulous flippered friends on World Sea Turtle Day! – Editor
The University of Florida – Thompson Earth Systems Institute is celebrating sea turtles throughout June in collaboration with the Florida Museum and the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research. Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day with the Florida Museum on June 16, and explore more Sea Turtle resources by clicking through the link.
Why are Sea Turtles Important?
Sea turtles have been navigating our oceans for over 100 million years. They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Sea Turtles contribute to ecosystem health in the following ways:
- Sea turtles contribute to the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, providing habitat for a diverse range of marine life.
- As both predators and prey, sea turtles are integral to marine food webs.
- Sea turtles hold cultural, spiritual, and economic importance in many coastal communities worldwide.
- Sea turtles attract Turtle-watching tourists to Florida’s beaches, contributing to the local economy.
Did you know that 90% percent of all sea turtles in the United States lay their eggs on Florida beaches? Therefore, the Sunshine State an extremely important place for the conservation of these endangered creatures! Sea turtles are a keystone species. They have been a vital component of healthy and balanced marine and coastal ecosystems for over 100 million years. In fact, sea turtle health can be a very good indication of ecosystem health.
Florida’s beaches and waters are home to five out of only seven sea turtle species in the entire world!
Read More at Florida Museum: Thompson Earth Systems Institute
