Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Coastal Conservation Groups Present Coastal Friendly Awards for First Time

Date: March 14, 2001
Contact: Dan Evans
Phone: (352) 373-6441

Nearly 20 coastal developments, in four Florida counties, recently received a “Coastal Friendly Award” from the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and local sea turtle groups. The award, which recognizes Florida coastal businesses and communities that have gone to exceptional lengths to protect sea turtles and coastal habitats, were presented to the winners in January and February, 2001. Local sea turtle organizations participating in recognizing coastal friendly developments included Turtle Time, Inc. in Lee County, Anna Marie Island Turtle Patrol in Manatee County, Mote Marine Laboratory and the Coastal Wildlife Club, Inc. in Sarasota County, and the Volusia Turtle Patrol in Volusia County.

Winners included The Casa Playa Resort, Edison Beach House, Holiday Inn Gulfside, Gullwing Beach Resort, The Bonita Bay Group and the Visitor & Convention Bureau in Lee County; The Breakers Gulfside Apts, Econo Lodge, Imperial House Condominiums, Oma’s Pizza, Publix Supermarket, and the City of Bradenton Beach in Mantee County; The Gulf & Bay Club, Limetree Beach Resort, and Starfish Motel in Sarasota County; and The Bahama House, Pier Side Inn, and Checkers Cafe & Club in Volusia County.

“These awards provide a great opportunity to recognize coastal businesses and communities for their efforts to help protect Florida’s sea turtles, beaches and dunes,” said Dan Evans, Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s Education Coordinator. “We hope that this recognition will help encourage others to do their part in protecting our fragile coasts and coastal wildlife.”

This is the first time the Coastal Friendly Development Awards have been handed out. Award categories included hotels, rental condos retail stores, restaurants and coastal community developments. Nominations were evaluated based on a criteria developed for each category. Evaluations of the nominated businesses considered the development’s commitment to keeping their lights low during sea turtle nesting season, their use of native landscaping, the health of the beach dune and whether the development recycled. The Program is designed to encourage more responsible management of coastal properties, and in the process, raise awareness about those establishments doing their part to protect coastal habitats.

The Coastal Awareness Campaign is funded through a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Advisory Council on Environmental Education. For more information about the Coastal Awareness Campaign, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, or to learn how you can make your beachside home or business more “coastal friendly” please contact Dan Evans at (352) 373-6441 or drevans@conserveturtles.org.

###The Sea Turtle Conservancy, formerly known as the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization based in Florida with offices and projects in several other locations. The Sea Turtle Conservancy is the oldest and most accomplished sea turtle organization in the world. Since its founding in 1959, the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s work has greatly improved the survival outlook for several species of sea turtles. The Sea Turtle Conservancy has as its mission the protection of sea turtles and the habitats upon which they depend. To achieve its mission, the Sea Turtle Conservancy uses research, habitat protection, public education, community outreach, networking and advocacy as its basic tools. These tools are applied in both international and domestic programs focusing on geographic areas that are globally important to sea turtle survival. For more information, visit the STC website atwww.conserveturtles.org or call (800) 678-7853.