- April 12, 2026
Turtle patrol volunteers Lori Ottlein and Rob White. Photo by Rich Carroll
Stephanie York, park services specialist at Gamble Rogers State Park. Photo by Rich Carroll
Tortoises race during the 18th annual Turtle Fest. Photo by Rich Carroll
Environmental exhibit at Turtle Fest. Photo by Rich Carroll
Environmental exhibit at Turtle Fest. Photo by Rich Carroll
Crowds gather at the 18th annual Turtle Fest in Flagler Beach. Photo by Rich Carroll
Competitor in the tortoise race. Photo by Rich Carroll
Tortoise racetrack at the 18th annual Turtle Fest in Flagler Beach. Photo by Rich Carroll
FLAGLER BEACH — The 18th annual Turtle Fest brought crowds to Veterans Park in Flagler Beach on Saturday, April 11, for a day of family fun, all centered around a serious mission: protecting sea turtles.
The event, which serves as a fundraiser for Volusia Flagler turtle patrols, featured tortoise races, children’s activities, food, music and environmental exhibits designed to educate the public about conservation.
“We are here to celebrate everything turtles and to educate our community about the importance of keeping the beach clean and dark and flat,” said Stephanie York, a park services specialist at Gamble Rogers State Park. “And to educate them all about sea turtle nesting season here in Flagler Beach.”
That message comes at a critical time. Sea turtle nesting season in Flagler and Volusia counties runs from May 1 through October 31.
As nests begin appearing along local beaches, most will belong to loggerhead sea turtles, the most common species in Florida. The state is considered the epicenter for loggerhead nesting worldwide.
Longtime turtle patrol volunteer Lori Ottlein said education is key to protecting nests along the shoreline.
“We do the turtle patrols on the beach,” Ottlein said. “We find the nests, we mark them off, and then we protect them. And then when they hatch, we do the evaluation.”
Ottlein said community involvement also plays a role, with residents able to adopt nests and follow their progress throughout the season.
While the event is filled with entertainment, organizers say the goal remains focused on conservation and awareness.
“It’s really important that we educate about our sea turtles, so we can conserve them and help those populations continue to grow,” York said.
As nesting season gets underway, officials say simple steps like keeping beaches clean, avoiding lights at night and filling in holes can help ensure sea turtles have a safe place to nest.
For organizers and volunteers, Turtle Fest is more than just a community event. It is a reminder that protecting sea turtles starts with the public.
