County and Turtle Patrol Relocate Nests as Dune Restoration Project Advances

A Flagler County Land Management team member punched the time clock well before dawn on Monday to assist the Volusia County Turtle Patrol inspect the beach for turtle nests.

They found a nest and the eggs were carefully moved to an area where the dunes restoration work is complete. Nesting season runs through October 31, and Flagler County is working with Turtle Patrol to find and relocate any nests that would be impacted by the dunes project as required by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Turtle Patrol has an ATV in the shop, and they asked if we could help,” said Mike Lagasse, Land Management Coordinator, who used the county’s Kawasaki Mule to take turtle volunteers Bob and Linda Jaeger up and down the stretch of beach they patrol.

Lagasse started his day at 5 a.m. to pick up the county vehicle and meet the couple at the beach at 6:15 a.m. If a nest is to be moved, it has to be extracted and relocated by 9 a.m.

“It was easy to see the loggerhead turtle tracks from the water’s edge to the nest,” Lagasse said.

Varn Park remains closed as it is the staging area for Flagler County’s dune restoration project. Other Flagler County oceanside parks are open in areas where the dunes work has been completed and Mobi-Mats installed – MalaCompra Park, Old Salt Park (at the end of 16th Road), and Jungle Hut Park.

“There are a lot of very dedicated people here in Flagler County – both our staff members and the community volunteers,” said Commission Chair Greg Hansen. “The beach and its wildlife are our pride.”

Beach users are reminded to “Dodge the Dunes,” as that accelerates their erosion. People, dogs, and horses are all prohibited from walking on the protective dunes.