Already, six loggerhead sea turtles have nested on Ocracoke Island. Many more will be arriving. In 2024, there were 101 nests. The incubation period is generally 50 to 60 days.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is looking for volunteers to be “turtle nest watchers” starting at the end of August and into September when sea turtle nests on Ocracoke begin to hatch.
NPS staffers will hold a turtle nest watch volunteer training from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, in the Ocracoke Community Center.
Nest sitters typically sit on the beach near a designated nest for several hours on their assigned evening(s) and watch that no vehicles breach the nest area, educate beach goers about these creatures and alert NPS staff if the nest starts to “boil,” or hatch.
This training is for residents or long-term summer visitors for this activity occur across multiple weeks and will go through September.
During the two-hour training, volunteers will learn about sea turtles and will be required to fill out the necessary paperwork to become an official volunteer with the National Park Service.
No pre-registration is necessary.
