As a coastal community, Surfside has made being kind to the planet a part of its mission, focusing on the town’s most fascinating natural visitors, loggerhead sea turtles. Loggerheads, named for their large, blocky heads, are the most common sea turtles found in Florida’s waters. While untold millions of turtles roamed our oceans hundreds of years ago, a decline in their numbers has led them to be labeled a threatened species today.

Sea turtle next to coral underwater — Surfside works hard to ensure the preservation of thousands of sea turtles

Protecting Surfside's Sea Turtles

Surfside is taking part in sea turtle research, conservation and advocacy because South Florida’s beaches are important to the species. The largest group of loggerheads in the world nests in South Florida from April to September, with more than 10,000 females coming ashore to lay their eggs in the sand before returning to the sea. The town passed regulations to prevent lights from shining toward the beach, a leading cause of deadly confusion for newly hatched turtles following their instincts and heading inland rather than toward the reflection of the night sky over the ocean (lights disorient hatchlings and discourage nesting females from coming onto beaches to lay their eggs).

Surfside also helps protect the local sea turtle community by prohibiting disposable plastic straws, which have proven to be hazardous to them. The town is also working closely with the Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Conservation Program and has partnered with organizations like Debris Free Oceans.

For those interested in learning more about sea turtle conservation, the Miami-Dade Sea Turtle Awareness Program hosts educational, 45-minute PowerPoint presentations about sea turtles, and when eggs in a nest are hatching, it goes to the beach with the participants to release them. Call the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s Education & Outreach office at (786) 719-6836 for information on how to sign up for one of the programs.

Surfside turtle sculptures — Check out the turtle sculptures along the Surfside Turtle Walk

Celebrating Turtles With Surfside Art

One of the most compelling ways Surfside raises awareness about sea turtle conservation is through a citywide art project called the Turtle Walk. Located next to the Surfside Community Center on 93rd Street between Collins and Harding avenues, this public art exhibition includes 13 colorful fiberglass turtles, each painted by a renowned local artist commissioned by the town.

Standing 5-feet high with a flipper span of 4 feet, these vibrant works of art are hard to miss. One turtle, created by Cuban American artist Dania Sierra, who attended the University of Miami on a fine arts scholarship, depicts an underwater ocean scene. Coral Springs, Florida, artist Ezi Algazi's turtle includes sea creatures and a scuba diver. Other artists featured in the exhibit include Derrick Wilson, DL Watson, Jacklyn Laflamme, Mano, Roberto Garcia Marquez, Sandra Suarez, Mary J. Rose, Marcy Grosso, Nancy Martini and Janie Casoria.

Together, the sculptures have proven to be a creative, fun way to place the animals in the public eye and highlight the importance of sea turtle conservation.

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