As students at Hillsborough Community College (HCC), as part of our leadership class, we were tasked with solving a problem in our community. Our focus is addressing the escalating danger that artificial lighting imposes among sea turtles. 

Artificial lighting on and near beaches is a major ongoing issue in Florida. It causes disorientation to the sea turtle hatchlings that are trying to reach the ocean and rather than doing so, the artificial light is causing them to crawl inland and away from the water or just aimlessly on the beach. The disorientation due to light pollution can also lead to the death of hatchlings from exhaustion, dehydration, and predation. There are lighting guidelines already developed, but not all Floridian coastal governments have adopted this ordinance at their beaches.  
Unfortunately, there are still many nesting beaches in Florida with high disorientation rates due to artificial beachfront lighting.

With a community effort, we can help preserve sea turtle hatchlings by supporting coastal lighting ordinances throughout the state of Florida with the use of shielded, amber-colored, and low lighting on your beachfront properties. 

Help Amber, Hannah, Rachel, Thalia, and Kelsey (students at HCC) in obtaining as many signatures as possible to help make a change and protect our beloved sea turtles!