Welcome to NESTS - Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival!

Homeowner/Condo Associations, Individuals and Buisness on and near Florida's coasts can help protect sea turtles that nest on our neighborhood beaches. During the summer months, beaches along Florida's coastal counties, which host 90% of the continental sea turtles nesting in the U.S. The life of a sea turtle can be rather challenging and we hope that you can help keep the neighborhood safe for nesting turtles and insure that newborn hatchlings get off to a good start. Numerous organizations have pledged their support to protect sea turtles; now we are hoping that we can count on your help too!

Please Note: Currently, due to the nature of the activities involved, the program is for people located on and near Florida's sea turtle nesting beaches.

How can you help?

We’ve developed some simple activities designed for Coastal Homeowners Associations and Individual Homeowners living on Florida's barrier islands that will have a direct benefit to helping the survival of sea turtles and protecting their nesting habitat. What better way is there to get to know your neighbors than working to build community interest and support, and gathers everyone together to work toward an important conservation priority for the state of Florida – helping to save sea turtles one NEST at a time!

It's easy! We want you to become more familiar with sea turtles and some of the challenges they are facing through the NESTS certification process. On this website you will find information to introduce you to the fascinating world of sea turtles and help you complete the tasks to become certified. The activities are geared toward sharing information, becoming more informed, and making the right choices to assist nesting turtles and hatchlings. For each activity you complete you will earn points or "sea turtle eggs." The more eggs you earn for your nest, the higher your NESTS certification! Earn 100 eggs to become a PARTNER, earn 150 eggs to become a GUARDIAN, or earn 200 or more to become a CHAMPION. Based on the county where you live, you will find a list of local resources to help you complete the NESTS tasks.

Whether it is working to turn off lights that shine on the beach, learning more about sea turtles from a resident expert, or reducing the amount of litter found on our beaches, you will be part of an inspired community that is ensuring the survival of sea turtles. Once you become NESTS Certified, you will receive awards you can display to show your commitment to sea turltes and their habitats!

We hope you will take a moment to learn more about the program and register to become NESTS Certified!

Check out our new NESTS PSAs! Video PSA 1 | Video PSA 2

Sincerely,
NESTS Program Committee