About Us

We’re a volunteer organization working to protect the endangered and threatened sea turtles of Wrightsville Beach, NC, and their nests.

Every day between May 1 and August 31, sea turtle nesting season locally, our volunteers walk the length of Wrightsville Beach, looking for signs of sea turtle nesting activity. Sea turtles nest at night, so volunteers check for their tracks in the sand at dawn. When a nest is located, it is roped off to designate it as a federally protected area. Volunteers then monitor it daily until it hatches, approximately 45-70 days later.

We work in close cooperation with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC. When sick or injured sea turtles are found, they are transported to the sea turtle hospital, lovingly rehabilitated by a staff of dedicated volunteers, and eventually released back into the Atlantic Ocean.

Dick Chapman and a loggerhead nest

Dick Chapman stands with a loggerhead sea turtle nest in 2017. He and his wife, Linda, have been WBSTP volunteers since 2000, monitoring the beach strand for sea turtle tracks every summer.

Our Mission

Our mission is to facilitate and promote the protection and preservation of sea turtle populations and habitats by implementing conservation and protection measures through action, education, and collaboration with visitors, residents, landowners, businesses, government agencies, and other non-government and conservation organizations.

Our History

  • Year founded: 1994
  • Founding president/volunteer coordinator: Stephanie Carter
  • Current president/volunteer coordinator (since 2004): Nancy Fahey
  • Year the WBSTP obtained federal 501(c)3 nonprofit status: 2004
  • Conservation permit issued by: The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 21ST12).

Meet Our President

Nancy Fahey
Nancy Fahey
President/Volunteer Coordinator