NORTH PALM BEACH — The environmental importance of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park cannot be overstated. Behold Exhibit A, a sea turtle nest. In 2023, sea turtles dug 4,734 nests along MacAthur's 1.6 miles of beach, including 56 leatherbacks, 2,153 loggerheads, 2,525 greens. The type of species laying the eggs can be determined by the trail the mother makes going to and from each nest. Each species makes a distinct set of tracks, and during nesting season, volunteers and staff each morning check the beach before the park opens to the public. Each nest is marked so the public is aware not to disturb it. Once the eggs in a nest hatch, they'll dig it up, count the shells, any turtles that didn't make it and occasionally rescue a live turtle that couldn't dig his way out of the nest.
NEXT STOP: THE DUNE HAMMOCK TRAIL
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NEXT STOP: THE DUNE HAMMOCK TRAIL
RETURN TO THE MAIN PAGE