About Daufuskie Island Turtle Protection

At Daufuskie Island Turtle Protection, we are dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles on Daufuskie Island. Our mission is to protect these magnificent creatures by monitoring their nesting sites and promoting awareness about their preservation.

We are a team of resident island volunteers who call Daufuskie home.  Preservation and protection of the natural environment and our turtle neighbors are important to maintaining the unique identity of Daufuskie Island.

   From May 1st until the end of hatching season, the our trained volunteers patrol approximately 3 miles of beach on Daufuskie Island,  Our purpose is to search for nesting sea turtle tracks. We identify, mark and protect the nests using poles, tape, screens and grates, and monitor daily until the hatchlings emerge approximately 60 days later. 

About 50% of our nests are relocated to higher ground, away from the king high tide line to safeguard them during incubation. 

We also take tissue samples for DNA testing, which provides state wildlife agencies with critical information allowing the historical tracking of male and female turtle populations.