Approximately 6,000 nests are laid on Indian River beaches annually with that number rising each year because conservation efforts, like those made by Coastal Connections, are working. This is GREAT news because sea turtles are keystone species that are responsible for keeping our beaches healthy by feeding the dunes through the mixing of important nutrients between land and sea. However, after a nest is laid, about 100 hatchlings are left to survive all on their own. Life can be very tough for these 3-inch miracles, especially as they navigate ocean waters for 20 years before returning to Indian River to nest for the first time. CCinc ensures sea turtle survival by preventing major obstacles such as plastic debris commonly mistaken as food, artificially bright beaches distracting turtles from the ocean and uninformed development and tourism interfering with successful nest incubation.