New, innovative parking lot lights will soon be installed in Jacksonville Beach to protect sea turtles.
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Beaches Energy Services, continuing its partnership with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, will be installing the “first of their kind” lights this summer at 35 locations throughout Jacksonville Beach.
“This is a proud moment for Beaches Energy Services. This is something we have been planning for a while now and to see it come to fruition is exciting,” said Allen Putnam, Director of Beaches Energy Services. “We know it’s important to the beaches community to protect the sea turtles and it’s important to us too,” he continued.
What makes the lights innovative is the use of a wavelength that the sea turtles are not drawn to while maintaining enough brightness that makes them functional and safe.
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The lights are also wind resistant and aerodynamic, protecting them from hurricanes. Many current lights will be removed, and the plan is to continue to make light changes over time.
Sea turtles nest on Jax Beach from May to October, which puts nesting season in full swing.
The City of Jacksonville Beach and the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol are launching their 2022 public awareness campaign on World Sea Turtle Day, June 16. This will ensure that as many turtles as possible succeed.
This is the third consecutive year this collaboration has come together to protect sea turtles. Called #CleanDarkFlat, the hashtag is an easy way to remember and share on social media what people can do to help the threatened species. The nesting grounds — our beaches — ideally are kept:
· Clean — free of litter, including trash, chairs, umbrellas and other debris
· Dark — free of artificial light
· Flat — free of holes or sandcastles that trap turtles
Several Jacksonville Beach coffee shops will be honoring World Sea Turtle Day by offering limited edition #CleanDarkFlat coffee mugs. With a $10 donation at participating coffee shops or the Beaches Energy Services office at City Hall, people can support the nonprofit Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol and receive a colorful, collectible mug.
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Sea turtle supporters can contribute to the campaign by purchasing one of these mugs at the following participating coffee shops:
Bold Bean, 2400 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach
Breezy Coffee Shop, 235 8th Ave. S., Jacksonville Beach
Cup of Job, 119 1st Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach
Jax Beach Brunch Haus, 610 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach
Round Bird Coffee Shop, 1094 3rd St. N., Jacksonville Beach
For more details about #CleanDarkFlat, how you can help and the coffee mug, visit www.BeachesEnergy.com/CleanDarkFlat.
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