Volunteer Opportunities

Sea Turtle Washback Program

Thank you to all our volunteers! This program is based solely on volunteer efforts and without you, we wouldn't be successful. There was an overwhelming response from the community last year, and we look forward to seeing many of you again as well as meeting our new 2011 volunteers!

2011 Sea Turtle Washback Volunteer Program

Washback season runs from July 1 – November 31. Storms create wrack lines by pushing large amounts of seaweed up onto the beach. Juvenile sea turtles that get caught in these wrack lines are extremely exhausted and in need of medical attention. Washback volunteers are called to survey the wrack lines for the juvenile turtles and help transport them to a rehabilitation facility.

Wrack lines may form at any time, so volunteers work on an on-call basis. Volunteers are contacted when a wrack line forms and are asked to complete a survey as soon as possible.

Volunteer Requirements

To volunteer, you must complete a county volunteer application, pass a background check, possess a valid FL driver's license, and attend mandatory orientation and site specific training. Children under the age of 18, that meet all the above requirements, may volunteer (those under 16 will not need to possess a valid FL Driver's License) and must be accompanied by an adult. High school and college students may use these volunteer hours for school credit. Please fill out and return the availability form and volunteer application.

Please mail or drop off your completed application to:

Sonia Colyer
901 Pope Road
St Augustine, FL 32080

Zone Captains

If you are interested in becoming a Zone Captain this year, please check the appropriate box on your application. Zone Captains are responsible for volunteer team assigned to their area, coordinate surveys when asked, and are responsible for the upkeep of the washback materials assigned to them at the beginning of the season.

Zone Captain responsibilities will be outlined in detail at the first orientation session and volunteers will have the opportunity to request to be a Zone Captain. There are a limited number of zones, and captains are chosen on their availability and commitment to the program.

Sea Turtle Washback Volunteer Program Training

The first orientation will provide you with a basic understanding of sea turtles and the purpose of the program, while the site specific training will include a more detailed explanation of your role in the program. You also will meet your zone captain, learn your assigned zone, and receive volunteer program training.

For more information about the Washback Volunteer Program, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Sea Turtle Patrol

Every spring and summer, sea turtles return to our coastline in St. Johns County to nest. The 2010 nesting season, resulting in 867 nests, saw a dramatic increase of 266% from the previous 2009 season of 270 nests.

Our 41 miles of beaches are walked and surveyed every morning at sunrise by our Sea Turtle Patrol Volunteers during the Sea Turtle Nesting Season, May 1 – October 31. These volunteers are coordinated by the permit holder of that stretch of beach, and are looking for signs that a sea turtle has nested. If a nest is determined the volunteers will then mark it with four posts, flagging tape and signage.

The 2011 Sea Turtle season is underway and all the volunteer positions are currently filled.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

  • Annual Sea Turtle Festival in April
  • Beach clean-ups

Contact
For more information on all volunteer opportunities please contact Sonia Colyer at scolyer@sjcfl.us or (904) 209-0752.