Most sea turtle (Cheloniidae) species worldwide are endangered or threatened, with threats causing harm to sea turtles predominantly human-induced. Thus, prevention of further declines to these imperiled species will require alteration of human behaviors. Regulations, incentives, and environmental education are 3 strategies that could be used to alter human behavior. Our goal was to determine how to maximize effectiveness of one of these strategies-education efforts. We investigated knowledge deficiencies and light pollution behaviors of individuals living in a region with nesting sea turtles, in an effort to determine the best approach to promote sea turtle conservation. During 2014, we mailed a survey to 3,000 property owners in 4 coastal counties in Florida, USA, to achieve 3 objectives: assess what topic areas were misunderstood; discern who had knowledge deficiencies; and determine who had adopted turtle-friendly lighting practices. The best predictors of knowledge included geographic factors (county, proximity of residences to the beach), demographic characteristics (age), and behaviors (individual's beach visitation rates). One practice that can reduce harm to sea turtles was common: use of window treatments to reduce light pollution. However, other practices harmful to sea turtles were prevalent, including long durations of use of outdoor lighting and use of light bulbs with wavelengths that can disturb sea turtles. Our results suggest that educational efforts could be enhanced by specifically focusing on increasing awareness of the effects of human actions on sea turtles, targeting individuals who visit the beach infrequently and live far from it to foster greater connection with these ecosystems, and publicizing a variety of options that could reduce harm to sea turtles so individuals feel a sense of freedom of choice.

All five species of sea turtle that occur in Florida are in danger of extinction. This 4-page fact sheet written by Jessica E. Swindall, Holly K. Ober, Margaret M. Lamont, and Raymond R. Carthy and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation discusses common human actions that are harmful to sea turtles and provides insight on key environmental education topics. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw465

All five species of sea turtles in Florida are in danger of extinction, largely as a result of people's actions. Fortunately, however, there are simple steps Florida?s residents and visitors can take to help these remarkable animals. This illustrated 4-page fact sheet written by Jessica E. Swindall, Holly K. Ober, Margaret M. Lamont, and Raymond R. Carthy and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation provides 10 easy-to-follow suggestions for ways people can reduce harm to sea turtles. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw466