FMBGN-ROXIE-Turtle Time 101

A sea turtle can cross an ocean and still lose the last 50 feet because of a single bright light on shore. We sit down with Cindy and Mary Rose from Turtle Time Inc, the volunteer team that patrols Fort Myers Beach at dawn, flags crawls, confirms nests, and monitors eggs until hatching. Along the way, we dig into the surprising scale of what’s at stake: Florida hosts about 90% of all sea turtle nests in the United States, and roughly 60% of the world’s loggerhead nests, putting our local choices on the map globally.We break down nesting season vs hatching season, why one turtle may return to lay multiple nests, and what visitors often do wrong without realizing it. The biggest theme is light pollution and sea turtle disorientation. Cindy and Mary Rose explain what “turtle friendly lighting” actually means under the Fort Myers Beach lighting ordinance: downward directed fixtures, full shielding, full cutoff, and amber LED lighting (not just a yellow bulb). We also talk about the sneaky sources of glare that matter, from open windows to cell phone flashlights during a beach walk.Then we get practical: fill in holes, clear chairs and toys at night, avoid creating ruts that trap tiny hatchlings, and know how to behave if you’re lucky enough to see a nesting turtle. You’ll also learn what the yellow flags mean, when to report fresh tracks, and how to reach Turtle Time at turtletime.org or 239-481-5566.If you care about Fort Myers Beach wildlife, coastal conservation, and keeping the beach a living ecosystem, this one gives you clear rules you can use tonight. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend staying on the island, and leave a quick review so more people learn how to protect nesting sea turtles.Turtle Time Inc.Cindy Johnson  & Mary Rose SpallettaP.O. Box 2621Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33932(239) 481-5566turtletime.org/Ft Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/