ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As the sea turtle nesting season slows down, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers continue excavating hatched nests on local beaches.
High surf caused by Hurricane Francine in the western Gulf of Mexico inundated several nests with salt water, which will likely impact their success, but about half the remaining nests are still high and dry.
Several upcoming events will support the non-profit group’s mission of protecting sea turtles.
Painting with a Purpose will raise funds on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 3-5 p.m. at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W. The cost is $75 per person and includes painting with a local artist, two glasses of wine and flatbread appetizers. No painting experience is necessary. Seating is limited. Sign up at https://paintingwithatwist.com/studio/bradenton or call 941-795-7928.
The Suzi L. Fox Adopt a Nest Program is open for 2025 adoptions. Each nest adoption includes a certificate of adoption, notification of the plaque placement and the location of your nest. The plaque is mailed to you after the nest has hatched. Next year there are new options. With the Special Request Adopt a Nest, Turtle Watch will offer the ability to choose the general location of the nest and date that the plaque will be posted on the beach, as well as offering a photo of the plaque when placed and notification after the nest has hatched.
“We thank the 259 adoptees that participated in our Suzi L. Fox Adopt a Nest program in 2024. The proceeds from these nest adoptions go towards all the outreach programs and materials we produce to educate visitors and locals about sea turtles and how they can conserve and protect their island habitat,” according to a release from Turtle Watch.
For more information, visit https://islandturtlewatch.com/get-involved/adopt-a-nest/
Turtle Watch Wednesday will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. The free event features live and silent auctions and live music. VIP tickets are available for $80 per person and include reserved seating, a swag bag and event T-shirt. Call Barbara for reservations at 404-275-9422.
A photo calendar – Anna Maria Life: Through the Lens of Angie Blunt 2025 – is available at the following Island locations: Lazy Turtle, Anna Maria Island Historical Society, Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals, Ginny’s & Jane E’s, The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-tiki, as well as online.
