FOLEY — The Alabama Coastal Foundation marked a milestone Wednesday, April 22, celebrating 25 years of its Share the Beach program and the volunteers who have helped build it into one of the nation's largest sea turtle conservation efforts.

Held at OWA, the anniversary event brought together past and present leaders, volunteers and supporters to reflect on the program's growth and its future.

"We're very happy to support the Share the Beach program as the Alabama Coastal Foundation's really stellar program," said Executive Director Mark Berte. "The Share the Beach program has been around for 25 years, and we look forward to having another quarter of a century of great work for sea turtle conservation in the state."

The program, which began as a small volunteer effort, has grown into what Berte described as "the second largest sea turtle conservation program in the country." Today, it includes more than 500 volunteers who monitor nests, educate the public and help protect sea turtles along Alabama's coast.

"This is a celebration of a wonderful program," Berte said. "We have over 500 volunteers who really dedicate themselves every season."

Share the Beach focuses on reducing human-related impacts to sea turtles, particularly artificial light pollution, which can disorient hatchlings. Volunteers also monitor nests along the Alabama Gulf Coast and work to educate residents and visitors about conservation.

The program dates back to 2001, when the field office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Daphne created Share the Beach to involve the public in sea turtle protection efforts. The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge later led the program as it expanded, before transitioning to the Alabama Coastal Foundation in 2018 after outgrowing its original structure.

The event also highlighted the program's early days. Kelly Reetz, Gulf State Park assistant director and one of its founders, recalled when a small group handled the work on their own.

"We were sleeping on the beach because we didn't have any help, and we were exhausted," Reetz said.

That changed after a public call for help brought in volunteers.

"All they had to do was call this number … and the next morning, it just grew from there," she said.

Since then, the program has expanded its reach and impact, working with partners and using science-based practices to guide conservation. It has also helped influence coastal lighting changes to reduce harm to hatchlings.

Berte said the event was meant to recognize that progress while continuing to educate the public.

"Today's effort is to basically look back and appreciate all the hard work that went into creating the program that it is today, and then really looking forward," he said, "to making sure to bring awareness to not only our residents, but also our visitors."

As the program enters its next chapter, organizers said community involvement will remain key to protecting Alabama's coastline and its wildlife.

"We want to make sure people know what they should do to conserve our sea turtle populations," Berte said.  

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.