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Turtle Digs
With Coastal Connections, Inc
You're Invited!
Please join us at our upcoming public educational sea turtle nest evaluation. During July and August, Coastal Connections, Inc, is permitted to provide a one-of-a-kind interactive educational opportunity on the beach where you can learn more about our sea turtles, see how our team collects scientific information about nest success, and maybe even watch a hatchling get rescued and released into the ocean. These events occur three days after a nest hatches so we apologize for the short notice, but this is one event you won't want to miss!
Things you should know before registering:
*Summertime in Florida is HOT. Even though these events are held in the morning, please bring water, a personal fan, and sunscreen (and possibly bug spray). It is important that you are able to stand outside on the sand for up to 45 minutes.
*Not every nest we evaluate is located beside a beach access. You may have to walk up to 1/4-mile on the beach to arrive at the Dig location.
*There is a 60-person maximum for "front row" viewing of the nest Dig. An RSVP is required to stand in an "Up-Close" viewing space at the event. If reservation spaces are full, you may still attend the event and watch from behind the roped-off area.
Photo and Liability Disclaimer:
At check-in, you will be asked to sign a liability waiver and photo release. This will be mandatory for onsite participation at any Turtle Dig event. If you do not wish to be photographed, please make sure to mark NO on the waiver and notify our check-in team to get your "No Photo" sticker to wear. Additionally, the summertime brings hot temperatures to the beaches and some nests may be a far walk from our check-in tent located in front of Ocean Grill. If you think you may have an issue being in the heat for a long period of time, please consult your physician before attending our Turtle Digs. Small battery-powered personal fans may be available at our donation table if needed.
Special ADA Requests - Beach Wheelchair
We believe all people should be a part of a sea turtle's success story. For this reason, CCinc is dedicated to inclusivity and connecting all people with our mission. If you or a loved one is in need of a beach wheelchair to get to and from the Dig location, we would be happy to provide one. (Please be aware that someone in your party is responsible for pushing the wheelchair to and from the beach access location.) We ask that you please reserve a wheelchair at least 48 hours in advance of the Dig. If you would prefer to watch the Dig from the comfort of your place of residence, we will continue to host virtual Turtle Digs via Facebook or Instagram Live.
To reserve a beach wheelchair, please email our Sea Turtle Outreach Manager at [email protected].
DONATIONS
We are excited you are interested in attending a Turtle Dig with us. To reduce the number of "no-show" reservations this year, we must add a $5/person donation. Donations are critical support for our mission, which allows us to offer programs like this year after year. Coastal Connections, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and thus, we ask that if you are able, please consider providing an additional donation within your means to help keep costs low so everyone can be a part of this incredible experience.
Turtle Dig Agenda
7:45am - Check-In in Front of Ocean Grill
Please arrive by 7:45am. Following check-in, guests will be directed to the nest on the beach which is being evaluated. You are also welcome to check out our education and donation tables before or after the event.
8:00am - Welcome Introduction on Beach
After walking to the nest, one of our educators will start off with a brief welcome and review of the safety protocol as people begin to arrive and space out around the hatched nest. Then we will give a short educational presentation about our local sea turtles and how you can protect them through everyday actions.
8:10am - Nest Evaluation
During the presentation, you will get to watch our team leaders excavate and evaluate the hatched nest and look for straggler hatchlings that may have gotten stuck and left behind. Contents of the nests will be shown around the circle at socially safe distances after the evaluation is complete.
8:45am - Close of Event and Release of Live Hatchlings*
The last part of the nest to be shown around the circle will be any straggler hatchlings found within the nest cavity. If a hatchling is found, it will be released after the event. The event will be formally ended before any hatchling releases occur. Please note that hatchling releases not guaranteed. Guests are encouraged to complete a short follow-up survey following the event to help our turtle team enhance this experience each year.
*Hatchlings found in a nest are considered weaker stragglers that did not hatch with their brothers and sisters. An average of 50% of the nests we excavate do not have live hatchlings inside. Rescuing and releasing a hatchling is NOT guaranteed.
Extra Activities During The Dig
Come check out our tent located at Ocean Grill. We may have:
- Sea Turtle Friendly Light Exhibit
- Free Giveaways
- Raffle Items
- Souvenirs and Merchandise
Help Us Learn and Enhance Our Programs
Please know we will be asking you a few pre-event questions as you check in this year as a requirement by our partners at the Tourism Development Council. We will also send a post-event survey asking for your feedback so we can continue to offer an incredible experience for everyone looking to learn more about sea turtles.
A Special Thanks to Our Event Supporters Program Conducted By and Benefitting
National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation Ocean Grill Coastal Connections Inc. - MTP Permit#259
Coastal Connections, Inc.
Please Visit Our NEW Giftshop at 3321 Bridge Plaza Dr., Vero BEach, FL 32963
FEIN: 35-2606320
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Turtle Digs
With Coastal Connections, Inc
Please join us at our upcoming public educational sea turtle nest evaluation. During July and August, Coastal Connections, Inc, is permitted to provide a one-of-a-kind interactive educational opportunity on the beach where you can learn more about our sea turtles, see how our team collects scientific information about nest success, and maybe even watch a hatchling get rescued and released into the ocean. These events occur three days after a nest hatches so we apologize for the short notice, but this is one event you won't want to miss!
Things you should know before registering:
*Summertime in Florida is HOT. Even though these events are held in the morning, please bring water, a personal fan, and sunscreen (and possibly bug spray). It is important that you are able to stand outside on the sand for up to 45 minutes.
*Not every nest we evaluate is located beside a beach access. You may have to walk up to 1/4 mile on the beach to arrive at the Dig location.
*There is a 60-person maximum for "front row" viewing of the nest Dig. An RSVP is required to stand in an "Up-Close" viewing space at the event. If reservation spaces are full, you may still attend the event and watch from behind the roped-off area.
Coastal Connections Photo Release
In gathering on the event premises of this Coastal Connections, Inc. event, be aware that photographs and audio and video recordings of your likeness may occur. Your presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to having your likeness captured by official event photographers and videographers and your consent to the publication, exhibition, and reproduction of any captured likenesses including but not limited to promotional materials including social media, print media, and video presentations by Coastal Connections, Inc. without restriction or financial compensation. If you do not wish to have your likeness captured please make a volunteer aware of your choice at check-in. You must wear a "No Photos" sticker in a visible location of your shirt during the entirety of the event.
Turtle Digs
With Coastal Connections, Inc
Please join us at our upcoming public educational sea turtle nest evaluation. During July and August, Coastal Connections, Inc, is permitted to provide a one-of-a-kind interactive educational opportunity on the beach where you can learn more about our sea turtles, see how our team collects scientific information about nest success, and maybe even watch a hatchling get rescued and released into the ocean. These events occur three days after a nest hatches so we apologize for the short notice, but this is one event you won't want to miss!
Things you should know before registering:
*Summertime in Florida is HOT. Even though these events are held in the morning, please bring water, a personal fan, and sunscreen (and possibly bug spray). It is important that you are able to stand outside on the sand for up to 45 minutes.
*Not every nest we evaluate is located beside a beach access. You may have to walk up to 1/4 mile on the beach to arrive at the Dig location.
*There is a 75-person maximum for "front row" viewing of the nest Dig. An RSVP is required to stand in an "Up-Close" viewing space at the event. If reservation spaces are full, you may still attend the event and watch from behind the roped-off area.
Checkout
Coastal Connections Photo Release
In gathering on the event premises of this Coastal Connections, Inc. event, be aware that photographs and audio and video recordings of your likeness may occur. Your presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to having your likeness captured by official event photographers and videographers and your consent to the publication, exhibition, and reproduction of any captured likenesses including but not limited to promotional materials including social media, print media, and video presentations by Coastal Connections, Inc. without restriction or financial compensation. If you do not wish to have your likeness captured please make a volunteer aware of your choice at check-in. You must wear a "No Photos" sticker in a visible location of your shirt during the entirety of the event.
Turtle Digs
With Coastal Connections, Inc
Please join us at our upcoming public educational sea turtle nest evaluation. During July and August, Coastal Connections, Inc, is permitted to provide a one-of-a-kind interactive educational opportunity on the beach where you can learn more about our sea turtles, see how our team collects scientific information about nest success, and maybe even watch a hatchling get rescued and released into the ocean. These events occur three days after a nest hatches so we apologize for the short notice, but this is one event you won't want to miss!
Things you should know before registering:
*Summertime in Florida is HOT. Even though these events are held in the morning, please bring water, a personal fan, and sunscreen (and possibly bug spray). It is important that you are able to stand outside on the sand for up to 45 minutes.
*Not every nest we evaluate is located beside a beach access. You may have to walk up to 1/4 mile on the beach to arrive at the Dig location.
*There is a 75-person maximum for "front row" viewing of the nest Dig. An RSVP is required to stand in an "Up-Close" viewing space at the event. If reservation spaces are full, you may still attend the event and watch from behind the roped-off area.
See you soon!
Thank you for RSVPing to our Turtle Dig! Please arrive by 7:45am at the Ocean Grill in Vero Beach for check-in. Please remember, the beaches are very hot this time of year. If you think you would have any issues standing in the sun for a long period of time, please consult your physician before attending. We may have personal battery-powered fans available for a small donation.
Be on the lookout for an additional confirmation email coming soon!
This email will contain a link to an important pre-event survey. Your responses to this survey are critical for CCinc to obtain funding from the Tourism Development Council for our conservation work that enhances eco-minded travel in Indian River County. If you did not get this email, please let us know.
Our team will also follow up with all Turtle Dig guests via email after the Turtle Dig experience is complete with pictures and a follow-up survey.