On May 31, 2025—during our 35th season of protecting sea turtles on Panama City Beach, Florida—we reached a truly remarkable milestone: our 1000th nest since the program began in 1991!
Fittingly, it was on May 31, 1991, that our very first nest was discovered. Now, exactly 34 years later to the day, surveyors located the 9th nest of this season—which also happens to be our 1000th overall. Even more amazing? Both the first and the 1000th nests were laid by loggerhead sea turtles, just 3/10ths of a mile apart.
This milestone is a celebration not only of the turtles but of the incredible community that has made this possible. Over 250 dedicated volunteers and surveyors have contributed their time, passion, and energy to help locate, mark, and protect each and every nest.
Sea turtles take 25–35 years to reach maturity and return to the beaches where they were born to lay their own eggs. That means the turtles nesting here today may very well be the hatchlings we protected in our early years. It’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters—and of the legacy we’re helping to build.
From all of us at the program: thank you to every volunteer, partner, and supporter who has made this journey possible. Here’s to the next 1,000 nests—and to the generations of sea turtles still to come.