Ongoing beach tilling to protect sea turtle nesting habitats part of St. Johns County’s 5-year plan

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Seashore tilling in St. Johns County to assist keep sea turtle nesting habitats began on April 3 and can proceed in phases all through the week.

St. Johns County Coastal Administration started the tilling, which is a part of the county’s five-year plan, on St. Augustine Seashore final week. That portion of the challenge will end up on Monday.

Beachgoers are requested to be cautious and thoughtful as they make their method throughout the areas slated for tilling this week:

• St. Augustine (Pope Street to A Avenue): April 7; Mobilizing Through Pope Street Entry

• Vilano (Serenata to 3200 Coastal Freeway): April 7-8; Mobilizing through Surfside Park

• South Ponte Vedra (2539 SPV Blvd to Serenata): April 9-10; Mobilizing through 2700 South PV Blvd

• Ponte Vedra (51 PV Blvd to 1461 PV Blvd): April 10-11; Mobilizing through Micklers

“The seashore tilling entails heavy equipment that plows the seashore sand, making it extra suitable for profitable sea turtle nesting to happen,” mentioned Sloane Stephens, Coastal Setting Challenge Supervisor. “Tilling is a part of the allow monitoring necessities following seashore restoration tasks. For every space, the tilling will start at dawn, and spotters shall be utilized to make sure the security of the general public.”

That is all a part of the county’s greater image. As News4JAX reported in March, one other key element of the county’s technique is monitoring sea turtles and nesting shorebirds as part of its Habitat Conservation Plan.

This consists of duties equivalent to escarpment knockdowns, the place small cliffs fashioned on the seashore after storms are leveled to make sure turtles can nest with out obstacles.

To reinforce these conservation efforts, St. Johns County has partnered with Coastal Conservation Group for the subsequent 5 years, which was authorised by the County Fee.

The contract with Coastal Conservation Group is capped at $14 million, and the county’s efforts are cost-shared with state and federal companions.

Prior to now 5 years, St. Johns County recorded practically 5,000 sea turtle nests.

In 2023, the county recorded triple-digit inexperienced sea turtle nests on its seashores at 133.

“This course of helps sea turtles efficiently dig their nest chambers and strengthens our ecosystem,” mentioned Ashley Raybould, Environmental Supervisor of the County’s Habitat Conservation Program.