The Latest from your District 5 Commissioner

Welcome to Commissioner Cathy Townsend’s blog page. I created this forum as a place where residents of District 5 and all of St. Lucie County can keep track of what my office is doing to improve our wonderful community.

Here you’ll find a calendar of events with different meetings and social events that I plan to host and attend, as well as news releases related to work that is being done in my district.

As one of your voices on the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, I want to create an open dialogue with our residents. I’d love the opportunity to come and talk with your homeowners’ association or civic group. Just contact my Executive Aide Colleen Hamilton to set something up: 772-462-1408 or email hamiltonc@stlucieco.org.

Keep St. Lucie County Beaches Sea Turtle Safe, Nesting Season Runs March 1 – Nov. 15

Post Date:02/23/2026 4:10 PM

sea turtle on a St. Lucie County beachST. LUCIE COUNTY – With 21 miles of coastline, St. Lucie County officials remind residents, businesses and visitors to keep our beaches sea turtle-friendly, as nesting season runs March 1 through Nov. 15. However, at least four Leatherback Sea Turtles have already laid nests along Hutchinson Island, according to staff from Ecological Associates, Inc., which monitors sea turtle nesting for St. Lucie County.

St. Lucie County’s beaches are critical nesting grounds for endangered and threatened sea turtle species, including Green, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtles. If anyone observes sea turtle nest poaching or harassment, please call 911 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC.

St. Lucie County’s dune trimming season coincides with sea turtle season, beginning March 1 through October 1. Dune trimming permits are required annually and are only valid for one season. Dune trimming that results in a lighting violation of sea turtle protection regulations is strictly prohibited. For additional information regarding dune trimming permits, visit the Dune Vegetation Permit Applications webpage.

Below are some practices residents and visitors can do to help keep our beaches sea turtle-friendly.

  • During nesting season, please shield, adjust or turn off exterior lighting, so that it is not directly visible from the beach and does not illuminate areas seaward of the primary dune between sunset and sunrise. Information about sea turtles and lights is available online at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Sea Turtles and Lights webpage.
  • Window treatments are required on all windows of single and multi-story structures if these windows are within the line of sight of the beach. Blackout draperies or opaque shade screens are preferred. Alternatively, approved window tints (less than 45% visible light transmittance (VLT), 15% VLT recommended) may be applied to beachfront windows. People within line of sight of the beach are encouraged to turn off all unnecessary interior lights during nesting season and to close curtains and blinds at night.
  • Flashlights and bonfires are discouraged during nesting season.
  • Beach furniture should not be left on the beach overnight.
  • Pits, holes and sandcastles made by beachgoers can turn into pitfalls that entrap sea turtle hatchlings. Please leave the beach in the same condition you found it in (or better).
  • Be aware of sea turtle nesting sites and avoid disturbing them.
  • Dispose of trash in proper trash receptacles.
  • Walton Rocks Beach is the only dog-approved beach in St Lucie County. Dogs should be on leashes to prevent them from digging up sea turtle nests.

For additional tips about keeping our beaches sea-turtle friendly and to see the progress on nesting numbers, visit the St. Lucie County Sea Turtle Nesting Season webpage.

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