It’s elementary
Class lessons from AMITW, AME
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, during the 2024-25 academic year, invited teachers and students at Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach to compose questions about sea turtles, shorebirds and AMITW’s work on the beaches. This summer, the Islander is sharing AME’s questions and AMITW’s answers.
Nicole O’Neill’s fourth-grade class: What species of sea turtles are endangered?
AMITW: All species of sea turtles are listed as endangered somewhere in the world but in other places they may be listed as threatened.
The Kemp’s ridley is the rarest sea turtle in the world and is listed as critically endangered, this is the highest ranking, which means they are in the most danger of going extinct.
Endangered is the next ranking and threatened is below that.
Talking turtles
The city of Holmes Beach is hosting Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring for weekly talks about sea turtle and shorebird nesting.
Sea Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts talks continue most Mondays at 10 a.m. through August at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
For more information, call turtle watch at 941-301-8434 or go to islandturtlewatch.com.
Numbers looking good
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reported June 27 that “nesting numbers are looking good.”
The nesting numbers for loggerheads are similar to nests recorded in 2022 and 2023 at this point in the season but AMITW expects this year to surpass a record of 12 green turtle nests.
Meanwhile, the turtle watch team is anticipating the arrival of hatchlings in the next few weeks.
They’ve also been finding tracks showing sea turtles nesting in unusual places. One turtle, for example, traversed a seawall and silt fencing at a construction site and another nested underneath a chair next to a fire pit.
AMITW, in a notice June 27, said, “If you notice a sea turtle nest on your property, we could use your help! Please, make sure that people staying at the house are aware that the nest site is protected and follow our turtle-friendly tips of keeping the area clean, dark and flat.
About AMITW
AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on shorebirds. Nesting data is required by renourishment contracts and AMITW is compensated by the county for its service.