Abstract
There is a gap in knowledge on what environmental characteristics may have implications to sea turtle nesting. Scientific literature over time has discussed factors that may impact nesting and hatchling success, and some of the factors noted are changes in the beach morphology including grain size, beach profiles, beach erosion etc. (Evans et al., 2022; Gómez-García et al., 2014; Jankie & Lawrence, 2010; Butler, 1998). The purpose of the project was to create a train-thetrainer module to increase knowledge about environmental characteristics at turtle nesting beaches. Two pilot training programs were held during the project period January-December 2023. One training was held at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Dania Beach, Florida with FDEP staff and volunteers. The second training was piloted at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences Miami, Florida with graduate students. The training program consisted of content to train individuals who then could in turn train others and expand data collection and analysis about nesting beaches. Content was developed and included a powerpoint about sea turtle nesting beaches, protocols to conduct sediment grain size analysis, and the sediment grain size hands-on activity. Pre/post quizzes and questionnaires were used to gather qualitative and quantitative feedback on the content and delivery of the pilot project training sessions. The trainings consisted of 10 participants with four from FDEP and six from Rosenstiel. 60% of the participants showed improved knowledge. All the participants agreedstrongly agreed that they learned something about sediment grain size analysis and most participants agreed-strongly agreed they learned something about beach profiles. This project paved the way for more training programs to gather environmental characteristics at nesting beaches over time.