As many South Floridians head to the beach for Fourth of July celebrations, wildlife officials are reminding people that sea turtle and shorebird nesting season is still underway.

Helping to Protect Wildlife

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says beach visitors can help protect wildlife by turning off outdoor lights when possible and closing curtains after dark. Artificial lights can confuse nesting sea turtles and hatchlings, causing them to move away from the ocean instead of toward it.

FWC is also asking beachgoers to pay attention to signs and posted nesting areas along the shoreline. These protected sites help keep nests safe while eggs incubate and hatch. Dog owners are encouraged to keep their pets on a short leash while visiting the beach.

Even friendly and well-behaved dogs can appear to be predators to shorebirds, causing the birds to leave their nests and eggs unprotected. Officials say small actions from beach visitors can make a big difference in protecting Florida’s wildlife during the busy holiday weekend.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.