“Is that the track of the mother turtle?” “How long will the eggs take to hatch?” “What will you do to keep them safe?” All of these questions and more were asked by one such observer, a new resident to the island, Karen Kindermann. We were close to the end of our route; Sea Pines beach is located on the south end of Hilton Head Island. We started our patrol at 5 a.m. and were just about done. I must have gotten some sleep the night before, because I was answering Karen’s questions without hesitation.
Amber Kuehn
SCDNR permit holder for HHI, Directorof Sea Turtle Patrol HHI 501(c) (3)
She was taken by my passion, and I was encouraged by her enthusiasm.
She asked if she could volunteer or help in any way. I explained that the Sea Turtle Patrol HHI volunteer staff are permitted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Opportunity is limited, and training is unlimited. She said she would like to meet with me to see if we could come up with another volunteer initiative. That’s when I told her what I really needed.
“I need help preparing the beach for the nesting females and emerging hatchlings. This involves filling large holes, picking up trash, flattening the beach, and talking to visitors who have no idea that they impact the turtles by leaving the beach a mess.”
I thought that would be the end of it. The offer to volunteer usually stops at hard work without the lure of handling sea turtle hatchlings. She called, and we met in person with seven other Sea Pines residents she had collected in the interim. A team of nine Turtle Trackers was officially born in April 2016, and I cannot imagine my situation without their help. They have supported me with everything from beach cleanup to local legislation. We’ve come a long way since our first goal: a public turtle talk hosted by Sea Pines Beach Club.
The entire 14 miles of Hilton Head Island beach has the potential of becoming a nest site for about 300 loggerheads and the occasional green, leather-back, or Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Turtle Trackers strive to make a clear path for the giant nesting females that drag themselves, with flippers instead of feet, up to the dry sand to lay their eggs. This volunteer effort is even more vital to the success of our emerging hatchlings, July through October.
Today, there are approximately 350 members within six chapters: Sea Pines, Forest Beach, Palmetto Dunes/Singleton, North End Sea Turtle Trackers (N.E.S.T.), and Port Royal. We work in tandem; chapter leaders meet monthly to coordinate efforts with each other and Sea Turtle Patrol HHI.
Turtle Trackers is a group of friends of mine who have the same passion and mission to “Save the Sea Turtles.” I’d like for you to meet them.
Elaine Turrisi
Area/stretch of Hilton Head beach your team tracks: Port Royal Plantation Port Royal patrols Beach markers 113-134
Months/years as a turtle tracker: Since 2016
Describe the most memorable experience you’ve had as a beach ambassador.
Oh, there are so many, it is difficult to select just one. I sort of chuckle as visitors thank me for picking up trash as I walk the beach. Many visitors see you with your T-shirt and shovel; they run to catch up with you and ask many questions. Their excitement makes me smile because I have the same passion. Many times, I have made new friends who visit the beach every year.
How long have you lived in the Lowcountry, and what is your favorite part about living here?
I have lived here permanently seven-plus years. My favorite part is the beautiful beaches. I never tire of seeing the sun rise, learning the rich history, and enjoying all of the natural wildlife (birds, dolphins, and, of course, the sea turtles).
Favorite local restaurants?
Stellini and Gusto.
How many volunteers are in your specific chapter, and what are their duties/schedules?
Sixty-four volunteers in Port Royal Plantation. The volunteers assist with picking up trash, flattening the sand at the end of the day, and educating others.
How has your community/neighborhood stepped up to support the sea turtle mission?
The community has purchased and posted the turtle signs. They also post educational information in our emails and
newsletters. Some individuals have purchasing items for learning kiosks.
Deborah Urato
Area/stretch of Hilton Head beach your team tracks: Forest Beach, markers 48-70
Months/years as a turtle tracker: Since 2017
Describe the most memorable experience you’ve had as a beach ambassador.
I have two memorable moments: (1) Early one morning a couple of years ago, I came upon a hatchling that was trapped in a hole someone left the night before. I was surprised that it had survived the night and used my shovel to dig it out and guide it in the right direction, since it didn’t have the stars or moon for help. It seemed to have a lot of energy and made it to the water. I smiled myself to sleep that night. (2) One very early morning, a tourist followed me for a bit and then asked me if I cared as much for people as I did for turtles. He wanted to talk about abortion rights.
How long have you lived in the Lowcountry, and what is your favorite part about living here?
I was married where the grass met the beach at the Hilton Head Inn on South Forest Beach Drive (now the Marriott Grande Ocean) in 1974 and have lived here since then. I grew up in Savannah and visited Hilton Head Island throughout the ’50s and ’60s. What I love about living here is the island’s beauty. I relish the efforts of neighbors to guard the preservation of our natural surroundings. Charles Fraser was, indeed, a visionary. Kudos to our present-day leaders who continue his like-minded thinking.
Favorite local restaurant?
All of my favorite restaurants are locally owned and operated; there are many great ones. My favorite former restaurant, of course, was Fratello’s Italian Restaurant and Café.
How many volunteers are in your specific chapter, and what are their duties/schedules?
Our Forest Beach chapter has 30 members. We could certainly use more. Our ocean community has single family residences, condos and timeshares, hotels, Coligny Plaza, and no gates. The Forest Beach Owners Association has placed sea turtle signs in all the association-owned beach accesses. Most of the island’s tourists traverse the beach access at Coligny Circle. Coincidently, or not, this is not a favorite turtle nesting spot. Our chapter members participate in several cleanup days each nesting season, just for the Coligny area. We are full-time residents, part-time residents, and visitors from other parts of the island and from Bluffton. We have beach marker assignments rather than a daily or weekly schedule. In addition to filling in holes, flattening sand structures and removing litter, we lobby Town Council for updated turtle protection laws. We act as docents for public turtle talks. Amber Kuehn, our mentor and fearless leader (she’s head of the HH Sea Turtle Patrol) will conduct turtle talks at the Lowcountry Celebration Park on Monday evenings at 8 o’clock every week from June through August. Our artist in residence, Mira Scott, has painted two Myrtle sculptures (yes, she is a real turtle visitor) and is working on a third. One sculpture resides at the Hilton Head Island Airport and the other at The Sandbox Children’s Museum.
Would you like to give a shout-out to any local business that’s been particularly helpful?
The Piggly Wiggly, our neighborhood grocery store, has always been a neighborhood partner. David Martin sells food produced locally and supports almost every local organization that I know. He is also a Forest Beach resident and part of our neighborhood.
Chris Rush
Area/stretch of Hilton Head beach your team tracks: Marker 97.5 (The Folly) to marker 113 (just past the Westin)
Months/years as a turtle tracker: We formed the North End Sea Turtle (N.E.S.T.) Trackers in June of 2018
Describe the most memorable experience you’ve had as a beach ambassador.
I love being on the beach with a rake and someone asks me what I am doing. Then I get to tell them more than they probably wanted to know about the turtles.
How long have you lived in the Lowcountry, and what is your favorite part about living here?
We have been here for six years, and love being near the beach.
Favorite local restaurant?
That depends on the type of food, but I love Italian, so I will go with Pomodori Italian Eatery.
How many volunteers are in your specific chapter, and what are their duties/schedules?
We have over 175 current members. We mainly put the beach to bed at night to make it safe for the momma turtle to nest and for her babies to make it to the ocean when they hatch. We pick up litter, fill in holes, flatten sand structures and educate the people we meet on the beach. There is a Retail committee and a Rental committee that helps get educational material into stores and rental units. We also help with some of the “Turtle Talks” put on by the Sea Turtle Patrol.
How has your community/neighborhood stepped up to support the sea turtle mission?
Although it was a bit of a struggle, getting the revisions to the town ordinances regarding lighting, shovels, holes and trash on the beach passed was a great step in helping to protect the turtles. More education about the turtles and enforcement of the ordinances will be the next step.
Would you like to give a shout-out to any local business that’s been particularly helpful?
The Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort has been a big supporter of our group. They let us use their facilities for our meetings and provide educational material to their guests. They have been wonderful to us!
Kathy Sanders
Area/stretch of Hilton Head beach your team tracks: Mile markers 74-97, which encompasses Leamington, Palmetto Dunes and Singleton Beaches
Months/years as a turtle tracker: Since 2018
Describe the most memorable experience you’ve had as a beach ambassador.
While tracking one evening last summer, I had noticed hatchling tracks that went every way but to the ocean—a disoriented nest hatch. I followed the tracks and found 10 dead hatchlings. This just broke my heart. I took a few pictures to include the location and sent them to the Sea Turtle Patrol. They advised me to bury them in the sand, without touching them, which I did with my rake.
As I was heading back down the beach, I ran into three trackers and told them what had happened. They wanted to see what a disorientation looked like, as they had never seen hatchling tracks. When we returned, we saw a few hatchlings pop-up from a different nearby nest.
Then, there were suddenly many. This eruption is called a boil. We were beyond excited as it is pure luck to happen upon one. They typically happen pretty fast, as all the hatchlings run to the ocean as fast as they can. This nest hatched in stages. First, there were about 30 hatchlings, then a pause of about 10 minutes before another wave of 30, and again and again. An average nest has 120 eggs, so this went on until after dark. We made sure other beach goers didn’t step on them and watched so that they all went in the right direction. Hatchlings are only three inches long; watching them navigate their way over the terrain in search of the surf, purely on instinct, was just amazing. Everyone walked home that night with the biggest smiles and greatest joy. All the work we put in to help these amazing creatures made sense in that one experience.
How long have you lived in the Lowcountry, and what is your favorite part about living here?
We have been coming here regularly since our daughter moved to Hilton Head about 12 years ago. We bought a place in 2016, then moved here full-time in 2018. Being born and raised in St. Louis, this was a big change.
I have to say my favorite part is that we are able to spend so much time with our two grand-daughters who live here. But at ages four and two, they don’t realize just how lucky they are to grow up here—from being minutes to the beach, or seeing the most amazing sunrises and sunsets, or the marine and marsh wildlife that we share in this environment. Dolphins, manatees, alligators, marsh birds and, of course, the turtles! The Lowcountry is just the most fascinating place to live.
Favorite local restaurant?
It would depend on the occasion, mood, and weather. The Sage Room, Skull Creek Boathouse or Santa Fe are our go-tos for special occasions or when we have visitors. However, our son-in-law is a great cook, so anytime we are invited for dinner, we are there.
How many volunteers are in your specific chapter, and what are their duties/schedules?
First and foremost, I have to recognize my co-lead and right hand, Dale Mathe. She is the strength to my weaknesses in helping to coordinate the 89 turtle trackers currently on our chapter’s roster. Not all live here full-time. Everyone does what they can, when they can. From May till the last nest hatching in October, we are beach ambassadors. We hit the beach each evening from mile marker 74 through 97, picking up trash, filling in holes, leveling sand structures and educating visitors on sea turtle nesting and how they can help by leaving the beach clean, flat and dark. We use a schedule that breaks our 2.3 miles of beach into seven zones.
Beach Ambassadors choose the nights and zones they will cover. We docent Turtle Talks that are presented by members of the Sea Turtle Patrol, offered May through August. We hope to again have our education kiosk at HarbourFest in Shelter Cove on Tuesday nights; fingers crossed they bring the fireworks back this summer. During the off-season, October-May, the Rental Committee reached out to all short-term rental companies on the island to collaborate in helping us educate visitors about sea turtles and how they can help when visiting. Most visitors aren’t even aware we are a sea turtle nesting beach. The Retail Committee reached out to area businesses to place our ‘Help Save the Sea Turtles’ cling in their door windows.
We also worked to get approval from the Town Council on the revised lighting ordinance. The island lost 4,000 hatchlings last year due to disorientation.Most of all, we are a committed group of volunteers. Everyone is from somewhere else, so it’s a great way to meet like-minded people and make lasting friendships.
How has your community/neighborhood stepped up to support the sea turtle mission?
We added 30 new members to our chapter this year! We are seeing many couples now signing up to turtle track together. It used to mostly be women, but not anymore. Good thing with the grave-size holes we have been filling the last few seasons.
The Palmetto Dunes POA is a great supporter. They recently teamed up with us for the Earth Day Beach Sweep; we had 107 people show up for just our beach area, removing 128 pounds of trash. Wow! PDPOA includes Sea Turtle education information in their owner communications during turtle season.They also require all short-term rental properties to display our sea turtle flyer.
Palmetto Dunes Cares, our community’s charitable organization, has awarded grants to both Turtle Trackers and the Sea Turtle Patrol with funds raised from their weekly Wednesday Turtle Trot 5K and Turtle Talks, both of which are being offered again this summer.
The Town Council has also been supportive by passing ordinances around beachfront lighting, requiring fixtures to be downward facing, shaded or turned off from 10 p.m.-6 a.m., May 1-October 31; removing abandoned beach equipment at night; not allowing digging of holes deeper than 12 inches or shovels larger than 30 inches and to be made of plastic or wood; flattening sand structures and discarding all trash before leaving the beach. These ordinances help to keep the beach clean, flat and dark to help nesting and hatching sea turtles.
Would you like to give a shout-out to any local business that’s been particularly helpful?
It takes a village. We greatly appreciate the short-term rental companies and beachfront hotels for helping us educate visitors. With a new audience arriving every week, they are their first point of contact. The restaurants that include our information on pizza and take-out boxes and retailers that support us by posting our information and selling turtle-related items in their stores. They are all integral in helping us accomplish our mission of assisting with the preservation efforts for endangered sea turtles nesting on Hilton Head Island, and to educate the public for the protection of
our sea turtle hatchlings heading to the ocean.
Barbara Faraci
Area/stretch of Hilton Head beach your team tracks: Sea Pines—Beach Markers 1-47
Months/years as a turtle tracker: 4 years
Describe the most memorable experience you’ve had as a beach ambassador.
While invited to join a daily 5 a.m. drive with Sea Turtle Patrol director, Amber Kuehn, she stopped upon seeing hatchling tracks heading towards a house, not the sea. With outdoor lights on overnight, 12 hatchlings ended up in the pool. She scooped them out, stuck two in my hands, explained to me how to hold them and instructed me to put them at the water’s edge for them to crawl in on their own. At that moment, I was hooked for life to educate
and help with this endangered species.
How long have you lived in the Lowcountry, and what is your favorite part about living here?
I moved here seven years ago from NJ. Immediately, I was struck by how warm and friendly everyone is. Whether it’s the people you come into contact with every day or the AMAZING friends I’ve acquired, everyone is happy, healthy, active and overwhelmingly supportive and generous with one another.
Favorite local restaurant?
Too many to pick one, so I have to go with a sunset picnic on the beach with my husband Mark.
How many volunteers are in your specific chapter, and what are their duties/schedules?
In Sea Pines, the founding chapter, we have 175 volunteers. There are four officers and 14 committees that cover Beach Ambassadors & Sweeps, Community Connections, Docents for Turtle Talks, Learning Stations, Membership, Procurement, Rental & Retail Outreach, Social Media, Special Projects and Student Volunteers. We can be seen on the beach in our white Turtle Trackers T-shirts filling in holes and flattening sand structures (which can interfere with mother turtles nesting and hatchlings reaching the sea), picking up litter, handing out red light filters for flashlights, and educating the public about sea turtles. Our volunteers are active year-round but especially May-October.
How has your community/neighborhood stepped up to support the sea turtle mission?
Started in 2016 with just a handful of founders, each year many residents of Sea Pines have expressed interest in helping. There is a great deal of interaction about problems on the beach, the need for volunteers at scheduled events and the willingness of many hands to help. Sea Pines Community Services Associates regularly communicates to residents and visitors about sea turtles and provide daytime beach patrol to help educate. Sea Pines Resort offers Turtle Talks, holds employee beach sweeps and regularly supports our mission.
Would you like to give a shout-out to any local business that’s been particularly helpful?
The Salty Dog (which allows us space to have a Learning Station), ITS Classics (which makes our uniforms) and Giuseppi’s of Sea Pines (who tapes a Turtle Trackers flyer to the top of every pizza box) are our biggest supporters and regularly donate to the Sea Turtle Preservation Fund at The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.
Joanne Voulelis
Area/stretch of Hilton Head beach your team tracks: Shipyard, beach markers 69-74
Months/years as a turtle tracker: 4+ years
Describe the most memorable experience you’ve had as a beach ambassador.
I wish my most memorable experience was seeing hatchlings scurry to the ocean, but sadly, not as yet. It’s the enthusiasm of the children that is most rewarding as they learn about the sea turtles and how they can help. They will often become ambassadors for those around them on the beach, filling holes and flattening castles. It’s great to see that. The children often are the ones that keep their parents in check!
How long have you lived in the Lowcountry, and what is your favorite part about living here?
After spending two winters here, my husband and I became full-time residents in 2010 and never looked back. Where else can you walk out your front door and be immediately surrounded by nature’s treasures? There is always something new to explore in the Lowcountry, from the fascinating marine life to the unique habitats of the salt marsh or maritime forest. Nature encourages reflection and creates perspective.
Favorite local restaurant?
It’s challenging to name a favorite restaurant as we are fortunate to have so many fabulous ones. I do love Jane’s lunch menu; the chicken salad plate is fabulous! My dinner choice is the pan-seared scallops and ravioli at Catch 22.
How many volunteers are in your specific chapter, and what are their duties/schedules?
Shipyard has approximately 50 turtle trackers, about half of whom are full-time. Our trackers sign up on a monthly calendar as ambassadors to prepare the beach for the nighttime arrival of the mama sea turtles and the departure of the hatchlings to the sea. They also engage with visitors to educate them about sea turtle protection and what they can do to help. In the off-season, we have monthly beach sweeps to clear the beach of litter that can hurt our wildlife. Several of the SY trackers serve on the rental committee, which provides turtle information to hotels, timeshares and management companies. Turtle talks and learning centers begin in June, and some of the SY trackers will be assisting with those as well.
How has your community/neighborhood stepped up to support the sea turtle mission?
The general manager of Shipyard, Sally Warren, and the director of operations, Meredith Elmore, have been extremely supportive of our trackers. They distribute awareness and educational information to all owners as well as to our timeshares and rental companies. They
keep turtle information at the welcome center and do electronic e-blasts for the trackers. They are also in the process of installing new turtle-friendly lighting along the beach walkway.
Would you like to give a shout-out to any local business that’s been particularly helpful?
I’d like to give a shout-out to the Sonesta Resort in Shipyard, especially Pearls Market, their gift store, for supporting the SY trackers and sea turtle protection. In the past four years, they have worked with us to provide their guests with educational/awareness materials and keep Pearls stocked with lots of turtle goodies.
