Home - Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles (FOSWST)

Sea Turtle Nesting Season is

May 1st – October 31st

Reminder: Never Approach a Sea Turtle!

To report a disoriented (lost) Hatchling or a Sea Turtle sighting, please use the following resources listed below.

Report a Distressed Sea Turtle

Call the Sea Turtle Hotline below to report sightings of sea turtles or hatchlings.

Do not take any action before calling for help!

📸📍Photos & location/gps are extremely helpful when reporting sightings and can be sent to the hotline number as well.

1st – CALL SWTW HOTLINE

South Walton Turtle Watch Hotline: 📞 850-865-4503

Leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

2nd – EMAIL LACIE

Email Lacie Wegner at: lacie@southwaltonturtlewatch.org

IF THE ANIMAL IS ALIVE –

PLEASE KEEP DISTANCE and stay with it until help arrives. It is illegal to handle, harass, or interfere with sea turtles, either in the water or on the beaches.

NEVER PUSH OR ATTEMPT TO ASSIST STRANDED ANIMALS BACK TO THE WATER!

More harm can be done and it is illegal without proper permits.

SAVE THE HOTLINE NUMBER!

VBA TOOLKIT

Access your Volunteer Beach Ambassador resources here.

WATCH

Check out our VBA resource videos & more on our YouTube channel!

LATEST NEWS

Find our most recent VBA Newsletter here.

View the Archive

Wear the Mission with our limited #CleanDarkFLat shirt!

_{Wear the Mission – Limited Shirt Fundraiser Campaign!}

Keeping our beaches #CleanDarkFlat for Sea Turtles!

Wear your shirt proudly and help spread the message that protecting sea turtles starts with all of us! Together, we can keep our beaches Clean. Dark. Flat.

Get Yours Here

Thank you to our VBA Volunteers!

We are so thankful to our VBA’s for their constant dedication in engaging with the community through volunteering for our events & educations in schools in 2025!

View the FOSWST Calendar LOG your VBA Hours

Thank you for Joining us as a 2026 Volunteer Beach Ambassador!

Thank you for joining us in our mission to keep our beaches #CleanDarkFlat & to educate in our community & schools! We’ve concluded our initial trainings but you can always check our FOSWST Calendarfor updates and info!

New VBA’s Sign Up Here 1st Check the FOSWST Calendar!

FUN in the Community

Our VBA’s are already busy this 2026 season with events, Sea Turtle education in local schools as well as on the beach! Students participate in hands-on activities like, Sea Turtle crawling, Nesting & Digging Egg Chambers, and Beach Clean up to keep the beaches #CleanDarkFlat . See us in action on social media!

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Our VBA's having fun on the beaches & in the community!

FOSWST’s Volunteer Beach Ambassadors

Ever wonder exactly what a Volunteer Beach Ambassador (VBA) does on and for the Beaches of Walton County? Sign up for our eNewsletter to see what we’re doing in the community!