"Share the Beach" Volunteer Program

Hundreds of volunteers take time to "Share the Beach" with threatened and endangered sea turtles each year. From searching for nests and assisting in hatchling success to public education, to talks to school groups, these volunteers are making a difference in the future of Alabama's sea turtles and Alabama's coastal ecosystem.

Volunteers at a site on Dauphin Island.

Volunteer

If you have the time, the turtles need you! Each year hundreds of volunteers take their turn at patrolling an assigned stretch of beach, being available for late-night nest-sitting when hatching time is near, or just helping keep supplies and equipment ready.

If you'd like to learn more about "Share the Beach," the sea turtle nesting season, and what you can do to help, contact us by bonsecour@fws.gov or by calling the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge at 251-540-7720 or 1-866-SEA TURTLE.

Download the Alabama Sea Turtle Conservation Manual. This manual was developed as a user-friendly guide to assist sea turtle volunteers and to ensure that consistent methods are incorporated into team training sessions across the Alabama coast. While this guide should not substitute for training on the beach, it will hopefully be a resource that both volunteers and Team Leaders will find useful as a reference. In addition, this manual will be considered U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protocol that must be followed by all volunteers under the federal endangered species recovery permit held by Share the Beach.

Photos courtesy of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.