Funding for sea turtle lighting retrofits, available through a grant awarded to Escambia County’s Natural Resources Department, will be available to Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key property owners until July 1, 2022.
Single-family properties on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key are eligible for a cost-share program to help owners retrofit existing exterior lighting to a wildlife-friendly option. The county will utilize grant funds provided by the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Sea Turtle Grant program to reimburse owners up to $56 per eligible fixture and $25 per eligible bulb.
"Artificial lighting is one of the largest threats to nesting and hatchling sea turtles," said Samantha Bolduc, Community Outreach Specialist. "Bright lights can deter nesting females, while hatchlings often confuse artificial lights with the natural light sources they use to find the Gulf of Mexico. This causes disorientation, leading hatchlings away from the gulf and into danger."
Coastal residents and property owners are encouraged to contact Samantha Bolduc with the Escambia County Natural Resource Department at (850) 595-3460 or smbolduc@myescambia.com by April 1, 2022 if they are interested in the project. More information about wildlife-friendly lighting and the impact of artificial lighting on sea turtles can be found at www.myescambia.com/seaturtles.
This project complements previous retrofit efforts on the barrier islands, including the 2015 retrofit of the Casino Beach parking lot and Gulfside Pavilion, the 2016 retrofit of two Perdido Key condominiums to enhance nesting habitats within Perdido Key State Park, and the 2018 retrofit of 6 commercial properties and 18 single-family homes on Pensacola Beach.
This project was funded by a grant awarded from the Sea Turtle Grants Program. The Sea Turtle Grants Program is funded from the proceeds from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate. Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org.
