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Key Information
- Location: Anna Maria Island, Florida
- Organization: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch
- Hatchlings: Over 14,000 sea turtle hatchlings reported this year
- Project: Toy box initiative by Girl Scout Zoe Landers
- Award: Girl Scout Gold Award recipient
ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla — With thousands of sea turtle hatchlings already this year, maintaining a clean beach has become a critical focus for the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watchers.
“Both adults and hatchlings encounter toys and beach furniture on the beach that impede their travel to the water,” explains Kristen Mazzarrella, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch. “It could keep the hatchlings from being able to see the horizon, potentially confusing them or forcing them to expend extra energy to navigate around those obstacles.”
During the busy travel season, unattended toys or sand castles can pose significant dangers to these vulnerable creatures.
WATCH: Local Girl Scout aims to save turtles by keeping Anna Maria Island beaches clean
Local Girl Scout aims to save turtles by keeping Anna Maria Island beaches clean
This challenge inspired 16-year-old Girl Scout Zoe Landers, a Florida native, to create a toy box for beachgoers. “At first, I had many toys from my community that people were willing to donate. Honestly, I think all of them are gone now and have been replaced with new toys,” Landers shares.
For this innovative project, Landers received the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Toys are often left on the beach, and I thought this would provide a great solution to keep them picked up, allowing sea turtles to make it to the ocean more safely,” she adds.
As a busy nesting season comes to a close, the thousands of hatchlings have someone looking out for their journey. So far this year, the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch has reported over 14,000 hatchlings.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) suggests that it may be time to abolish homeowners associations entirely, as increasing numbers of Floridians voice concerns over rising fees, costly lawsuits, and arrests related to HOA disputes. He stated this week that he’s considering filing legislation in the next session to eliminate HOAs statewide.
Lawmaker looks to ban HOAs
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Article original publish date: 2025-08-08 21:16:00
Article source: www.tampabay28.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.tampabay28.com
