Sea turtle nesting season runs annually from March 1 through October 31, and the City of Hollywood is doing its part to protect these endangered creatures. To help ensure hatchlings make it safely to the ocean, the city has enacted a Turtle Friendly Lighting Ordinance. This regulation plays a vital role in reducing disorientation among hatchlings, which are instinctively drawn to light.
On natural, undeveloped beaches, hatchlings typically head toward the brightest light—usually the moonlit ocean horizon. However, in urban coastal areas, artificial lighting from buildings and streets can lead them in the wrong direction, away from the water. By minimizing such lighting impacts, Hollywood Beach becomes a safer, more hospitable nesting ground.
In 2024, the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program recorded an impressive 3,184 sea turtle nests along the county’s 24-mile shoreline. Hollywood Beach played a major role in this milestone and continues to serve as a key nesting site for three endangered species: Leatherbacks, Loggerheads, and Green Turtles.
Turtle-Friendly Lighting: Best Practices
To safeguard sea turtles, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) outlines three essential lighting guidelines:
- Keep it Low: Fixtures should be mounted low and emit only the minimum brightness necessary.
- Keep it Shielded: Light sources, including indoor lights, should not be visible from the beach. Curtains or blinds should be closed at night.
- Keep it Long-Wavelength: Use amber or red LEDs (560 nm or longer) without additional filters to minimize disruption.
Even cell phone lights can disorient nesting or hatchling turtles, so beachgoers are encouraged to keep screens off during nighttime visits.
Recognizing Turtle-Friendly Properties
To encourage compliance and raise awareness, the City of Hollywood launched a recognition program honoring properties that meet turtle-friendly lighting standards. These properties implement thoughtful measures like shielded, long-wavelength lighting, tinted windows, and nighttime window coverings to limit light pollution. Their efforts make a meaningful impact on the survival of these remarkable marine animals.
Visit https://www.hollywoodfl.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1615 to learn more about Turtle preservation programs in Hollywood and to learn how to apply to be recognized.
