Turtle Coast Nature

The Atlantic Coast of Brevard County from Cocoa Beach to Vero Beach is one of the primary nesting areas of the Loggerhead sea turtles. Each May through July, these huge turtles come ashore to lay their eggs at the high dune edge. In August, hatchlings emerge at night to crawl back to the sea. The highest concentration of these nests is from Melbourne Beach to Floridana Beach.

A major migratory bird sanctuary exists at the Merritt Island National Refuge north of the Kennedy Space Center. Ocala National Forest and the Canaveral National Seashore are also our frequent destinations. Everglades National Park is located in South Florida.

At the Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay, we frequently make service trips to assist the rangers in area maintenance. The Margaret Hames Nature Center, named for a famed local plant expert, is also located here. This Center contains an extensive nature library, displays, and serves as the ranger headquarters for the board-walked park.

Pelican Island, located towards the ocean from Sebastian in the Indian River Lagoon, was the first designated wildlife preserve, set aside by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1903.

FACTS, ETC.

The World Meteorological Organization stated that 1995 was the hottest year since records began being kept in 1861. The average surface temperature was 0.72 degrees higher than in the last 3 decades and the Atlantic hurricane season included 11 storms of hurricane strength -- the second highest total since records began in 1886.

The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that approximately 64,000 Americans will die prematurely this year due to heart and lung diseases caused by air pollution.

Contact Government officials and let them know how you feel on the issues.