Coastal Florida is known for its white sandy beaches where people take their children and dogs to have a lazy day in the sun and water.
They place beach chairs and shade tents and umbrellas on the sand.
Beach renourishment and raking away seaweed debris to keep the beaches clean and full of sand also is prevalent.
However, all of those combined can wreak havoc on nesting shorebirds and sea turtle nests, law enforcement officers and other government workers tasked with keeping the critters safe were told Wednesday during a workshop in Fort Myers.
The workshop's goals were to provide those attending with knowledge they need in the field to protect waterbird and turtle populations, including public education, protection coordination, and increased knowledge of federal, state and local laws.
"It was a good workshop," said Daniel Cantu, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer who patrols Lee County. "A lot of the different agencies got involved. We were able to get on the same page and be informed on what other agencies are doing."
Cantu, who has a degree in wildlife management and has been a wildlife officer since September 2006, said he learned the most about federal laws and violations that occur on federally-owned lands.
But the best thing during the workshop, he said, was getting educational brochures from the different biologists and others who gave presentations during the workshop.
"That's a big, helpful tool," he said. "We can educate the public, sometimes say something to them and they may not retain everything. But a brochure they can take home, and read it at their leisure and retain the information."
The information provided Wednesday included a pamphlet on co-existence between humans and beach-nesting birds, which explains what people can do to help protected birds, and Lee County, Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs ordinances about sea turtle laws.
Jake Sullivan, who served 25 years in law enforcement in Washington, D.C., has worked as a Collier County park ranger for four seasons, two as a seasonal worker and two years full-time.
"It was a great opportunity to network and learn how we can call upon other law enforcement agencies for guidance on how to protect wildlife," he said. "To see the guys there from the Florida Fish and Wildlife, the state, that was good, as well as my counterparts in Lee County."
Officials from FWC, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Fort Myers police departments, as well as Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, attended the workshop.
One thing Sullivan took away from the workshop was the significant drop in the number of wildlife.
"There's really an interest to go out there to either get compliance through education or enforcement to enhance wildlife," he said. "You listen to Audubon and they are really interested in giving wildlife a chance to succeed. We can assist them in educating the public and, if need be, take enforcement action to help."
Ann Hodgson with Audubon of Florida and Nancy Douglass with FWC presented information about colonial waterbirds, including behavior, identification, locations of the different species and historical population data.
The women explained how the state and federally protected birds use islands and beaches as nesting sites and how people can do their part to keep the disturbance of nesting areas to a minimum.
Hodgson said rookeries are typically a noisy, smelly place.
"If you go up to a bird colony and it's quiet, something is wrong," she said.
Douglass said beach-nesting birds have greatly declined since the early 1900s.
Part of that is because they and their eggs are difficult to see even though they nest in the open on top of the sand because they blend in well. That is why the typical nesting areas are usually staked-off and marked so people will know an endangered or threatened species has a nest on the ground.
Douglass and her staff spent Tuesday posting known Lee County nesting sites by using twine and wooden stakes to "rope-off" known nesting areas. FWC staffers will do the same, weather permitting, April 15-16 in Collier County.
Wild animal predation, such as raccoons, coyotes and other mammals, as well as unleashed dogs, also are problematic, she said. Unrestrained dogs can frighten the birds, causing the adult to fly off, leaving the hatchling on the ground in bright sunlight or rain which can lead to its death.
Another problem with birds nesting on beaches: Those tasked with protecting them may not see the birds and eggs, accidentally smashing the eggs or killing a newly-hatched chick while on patrol.
Vehicles are not allowed on beaches in Southwest Florida, but exceptions are made for law enforcement and people who mark not only nesting areas, but also sea turtle nests.
Bird nesting season officially began Tuesday and lasts through August, but some birds are known to nest as early as February. Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 through Oct. 31.
Yet another problem facing the birds are — ironically — other birds, Douglass said.
"It's really a bird-eat-bird world out there," she said. "People don't typically think of birds like that."
Because bird nesting season coincides with sea turtle season, people also need to be made aware of issues facing the turtles.
Carol Lis, principal planner with Lee County environmental sciences, gave attendees an overview of what to watch for regarding potential violations and injurious behavior to the turtles.
Those include people leaving furniture, tents or umbrellas on the beach, raking the beach within 10 feet of a nest, and outdoor lighting which causes disorientation to turtles and hatchlings who follow the natural moonlight into the water.
She pointed out that furniture can cause entrapment issues because the turtles cannot move backwards.
But, one thing she wanted law enforcement officials to understand: "Be available if we call, and if you do see a problem, call us," she said.
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What can you do to help nesting birds and turtles?
• Stay away from nesting birds and rookeries.
• If birds appear agitated or take flight, you are too close.
• Never intentionally force birds to fly.
• Humans and dogs should stay out of posted areas.
• Avoid taking watercraft close to shore.
• Keep dogs leashed.
• Do not disturb any nest, egg, bird or turtle.
• Douse outside and indoor lights which can be seen from the beach.
• Remove all outdoor furniture from the beach.
• Remove all items which can entangle sea turtles.
• State and federal laws outlaw the possession of any part of the birds or turtles or their nests.
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