The Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program (frequently called the Turtle Patrol) is excited to announce that weekly educational sea turtle programs will commence on June 18, 2025.

Turtle Talk  begins on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 pm.  Family members of all ages will enjoy the program.  A turtle patrol volunteer will share knowledge of nesting sea turtles, what to look for when visiting the beach, and current nest information.  There will be a slide show, a delightful short movie, and a Q&A segment. This program focuses on the life cycle of the sea turtle and how the HBTWP aids in the preservation of sea turtles. Several turtle artifacts will be on display. Turtle Talk will be held every Wednesday evening from June 18 to August 13.

Children’s Turtle Time begins on Wednesday, June 25 at 4 pm. This program is designed for two groups of children, ages 3 – 4 and 5 – 6.  An adult should remain with their child during the 45-minute program.  If a family has two or more children that fall within both age groups, it is advisable that two adults attend.  The program introduces young children to the world of sea turtles through hands-on play,  games, books and puzzles.  Children’s Turtle Time will be held every Wednesday from June 25 to August 6. 

Turtle Talk and Children’s Turtle Time are free-of-charge and will be held at the Holden Beach Chapel at 107 Rothchild Street on Holden Beach.  The 2025 HBTWP t-shirt and other HBTWP merchandise will be for sale at both weekly events.

Education & Outreach “Turtle Talk on the Road” – The Holden Beach Turtle Patrol has taken the popular Turtle Talk program on the road so they can bring education about sea turtles directly to you! Members of the Turtle Patrol are available to come to your local classroom, club, community, church or service organization to talk about their organization and provide education and outreach to promote awareness and to advocate for these endangered species. They are available for groups of all ages…pre-school to adults. Contact the outreach program coordinator by email at outreach@hbturtlewatch.org for more information or to schedule a program.

HBTWP was founded in 1989 to monitor and protect the sea turtle population on Holden Beach. This all volunteer, nonprofit conservation organization operates under the authority of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 25ST11).

The 2025 turtle season began May 1 on Holden Beach, when members started patrolling the island each morning looking for signs of a nesting sea turtle crawl on the beach. Sea turtles nest on Holden Beach mid-May through August, and their nests hatch July through October.  

For details about these educational programs, the latest statistics regarding the number of nests on the Holden Beach, and recent news, visit the Turtle Patrol’s website at www.hbturtlewatch.org or visit us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information contact:

Cheryle Jones Syracuse  communications@hbturtlewatch.org  Education/Communications Committee

John Cifelli president@hbturtlewatch.org  HBTWP President

Pat Cusack coordinator@hbturtlewatch.org HBTWP Program Coordinator