Adopt a Turtle Mom

Due to the variability in the number of nesting female sea turtles observed each season, the Conservancy will have limited numbers of Adopt-a-Moms available each year.

All Adopt-a contributions are symbolic adoptions. No individual or group that participates in our adoption program may claim ownership of a sea turtle, their nest, egg, or a hatchling. Each adoption is considered a donation to support the Conservancy’s Sea Turtle Protection Program. Because demand sometimes exceeds the number of available nests per season, we hope you’ll enjoy “sharing” a nest with another adoptive parent or family - which is part of the spirit of community support for these amazing creatures!

In the unfortunate event that the nest is lost due to a natural disturbance (such as predation or a natural disaster) refunds or re-assignments are not available. Instead, adoptive parent(s) will be invited to the excavation of another nest. 

Please know that during busy times, especially following natural disturbances, the Bald Head Island Conservancy staff may require extra time to provide a detailed update on nest status. We appreciate your patience and promise to keep you informed as best we can!

For questions regarding the Conservancy's Adopt-a-Program, contact our Philanthropy Team at development@bhic.org

Through our Sea Turtle Protection Program, we monitor and attempt to tag all female sea turtles that are observed on the beaches of BHI. This monitoring program has been collecting data for 40+ years, allowing us to thoughtfully and accurately select the right turtle for you. Turtles are selected for Adopt-a-Mom if they show signs of great site fidelity to BHI. We have many nesting females who not only nest on BHI, but also use our neighboring barrier islands. BHI even has some nesting females who use our beaches and neighboring barrier islands in South Carolina and Georgia beaches in the same year! We avoid these less reliable individuals for the Adopt-a-Mom program as best as we can and focus our attention on females who have a rich nesting history specific to BHI to ensure that you are able to experience every possible nest that your adoptive mom lays.

Our Sea Turtle Protection Team cannot assign an Adopt-a parent to any requested nests or sea turtles, nor guarantee that assignment will be given by a specific date. Adopt-as are assigned chronologically by the date of purchase, utilizing the selection process below.

Assigning an Adopt-a-Mom

• Nest is found and nesting female is ID’d as a remigrant (2nd season) or consistent neophyte
• Depending on site fidelity to BHI
• Previously laid ≥2 nests on BHI
• Nest is found and nesting female is ID’d as a remigrant (+3rd season)
• Previously laid ≥2 nests on BHI in each nesting season
• If nesting history is extensive (≥3 nests on BHI each nesting season), the individual will be considered for Legacy sponsorship. Though, if there are no Legacy sponsors, the individual will be assigned as an Adopt-a-Mom

The BHI Conservancy cannot guarantee the assigned Adopt-a-Mom or Adopt-a-Legacy individual’s nesting behavior will stay true to BHI. Site fidelity can fluctuate over time.