Help Our Sea Turtle Patrol Replace Stolen Equipment and Continue Protecting Nesting Sea Turtles

Our team is heartbroken.

On June 17, 2026, one of our patrol ATVs and an iPad were stolen from a secure shed near Marineland between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The stolen vehicle is a camouflage Kawasaki Brute Force 750 that our volunteers rely on every day to protect sea turtle nests and monitor miles of coastline. The iPad was a critical field tool used to record nesting activity, track nest locations, collect scientific data, and communicate important information to our conservation team.

As a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization, every dollar we receive goes directly toward protecting sea turtles and supporting the conservation efforts that help preserve these incredible animals for future generations. Unlike larger organizations with extensive resources, we depend on community support, grants, and donations to fund our equipment, supplies, and daily operations. The loss of this equipment creates a significant financial burden during one of the busiest and most important times of the nesting season.

This equipment is not a luxury—it is the backbone of our daily patrol operations.

During sea turtle nesting season, our volunteers patrol miles of beach before sunrise every single day. They locate and document new nests, monitor existing nests, identify threats, respond to stranded or injured turtles, and gather data that helps protect endangered and threatened sea turtle populations. The ATV allows volunteers to efficiently cover large stretches of coastline, transport equipment, and access remote nesting areas that would otherwise take hours to reach on foot.

The iPad serves as our mobile monitoring station in the field. Volunteers use it to log nest locations, record nesting and hatching activity, document disturbances, upload data, and maintain accurate records that support both conservation efforts and regulatory reporting requirements.

Until this equipment is replaced, our volunteers will be walking patrol routes that normally require motorized transportation. While they remain committed to protecting sea turtles, the loss of this equipment will reduce efficiency and limit the amount of beach that can be monitored each day.

Funds raised will go directly toward:

• Purchasing a replacement patrol ATV capable of safely operating on beach terrain

• Replacing the stolen iPad used for nest monitoring and data collection

• Equipping the ATV with Sea Turtle Patrol storage boxes and safety equipment

• Replacing patrol gear and accessories necessary for daily monitoring activities

• Ensuring our volunteers can continue collecting accurate data and responding quickly to nesting and hatching events

Every dollar donated will help restore our ability to monitor nests, protect hatchlings, and support the dedicated volunteers who give countless hours to safeguarding sea turtles along our coastline.

While law enforcement is actively investigating and we remain hopeful that the stolen equipment will be recovered, we cannot afford to pause our conservation efforts during one of the busiest times of the nesting season.

Replacing this stolen equipment will be a significant expense for our volunteer-driven program. A replacement beach patrol ATV comparable to our Kawasaki Brute Force 750 is expected to cost approximately $10,000, while a new iPad and necessary accessories for field data collection will cost approximately $300–$500.

Additional funds will help outfit the ATV with patrol storage boxes, safety equipment, and other supplies needed for daily nest monitoring. Our fundraising goal is to raise enough to fully restore these essential tools so our volunteers can continue protecting sea turtle nests and collecting critical conservation data throughout nesting season.

If you are able to contribute, please consider helping us replace these essential tools. If you cannot donate, sharing our story is another powerful way to support our mission.

Most importantly, if you see a camouflage Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATV that may match our stolen vehicle, please contact the Sheriff's Office immediately.

Thank you for standing with our volunteers and helping ensure that sea turtle nests continue to be monitored and protected. Together, we can keep our patrols moving and continue the vital work of conserving these incredible animals for future generations.