Eco Tips

• Be respectful of nesting sea turtles. Nesting season is May 1 through Oct. 31. Turn off your beachfront lights during nesting season. If you see a turtle nest or a turtle on the beach at night, stay away and keep quiet. Do not use flashlights or flash cameras on the beach at night. And help us keep our beaches clean of trash.

• Help our accommodations save energy and resources. Reuse linens and towels. Don’t forget to turn off lights, the TV, and air conditioning when you leave your room.

• Help us keep our beaches naturally beautiful. Do not leave litter on the beach, along the path, in the parking lot, or in the rest room facilities. Bring a trash bag with you and carry your trash home with you.

• No glass containers are permitted on our beaches, parks, rivers, and National Seashore area.

• Be a good role model. When you are taking a trip, take back more trash than you bring in. If you see trash on the beach, in the forest, along the trails, or in the rivers, please pick it up, take it home, and throw it away.

• Don’t walk on dunes. Dunes provide a buffer to the coastal system - they protect the regions behind them from wind and waves, and provide a ground for sea oats. Because they are entirely composed of loose, unconsolidated sand, dunes tend to be very fragile, so always walk around them instead of through them.

• Park your vehicles at designated areas. Nature comes before convenience. Do not pull up your vehicle close to the river or beach shores, just to save a trip to the car when unloading your beach, canoeing, or camping gear.

• Don’t disturb nesting birds. You may notice birds that are gathered along the dunes or along the roads and trails. Always walk around them with enough distance that ensures they feel safe and undisturbed. And remember, always treat wildlife with respect and caution.