Foley Woman’s Club

Foley Woman’s Club
The Foley Woman’s Club has an interesting program at almost every monthly meeting and November was no exception. Neal Shults, co-leader of the Share the Beach sea turtle team at Gulf State Park explained the process that the female turtle goes through when she comes on land to lay her nest. The first nest she lays will mark the first time since her birth – about 20 years – that she has been out of the water. She makes distinctive marks with her flippers as she struggles to propel her 100 – 300 pound body through the sand to find the appropriate nesting spot. She picked this beach because, in all likelihood, because she hatched here. Volunteers patrol every foot of the 47 miles of Alabama beach every morning at sunrise to look for possible nests. When they identify a nest, they mark it, and begin a vigil to help ensure safe journey into the water. Baby turtles emerge in 55-65 days.
Neal also filled the ladies in on the issues revolving around lights near the beach. Bright lights disorient the babies on their trek to the water. Share the Beach and Alabama Fish & Wildlife have made efforts to encourage owners of buildings on the beach to install turtle-friendly lighting. With all the efforts made by volunteers on their behalf, sea turtles are still a threatened species. Share the Beach receives no money from any government entity to help purchase supplies to support the program. Adopt-A-Nest provides a way for individuals to contribute. Hatchlings, nests, or the entire shoreline can be adopted – many given as gifts. Visit alabamaseatrutles.com for information on the entire program. FWC members are working on & looking forward to our next annual fund-raiser, Mad Hatters, which will be March 29, 2017. Stay tuned for more on this fun day in future articles.
Pictured: Neal Shults and club president Barbara McCamish.