Environmental Event for World Turtle Day

On May 23, a family-friendly environmental event dedicated to World Turtle Day and the preservation of our coastal environment was held at Bıdı Bıdı Beach.

The event was organized by volunteers working to protect loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and sea daffodils, together with the Gazipaşa expatriate community.

More than 35 people joined the event, including families, children, and local residents who care about the future of our beaches and the conservation of sea turtles.

It was especially symbolic that the day before the event, a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) came ashore and laid the first nest of the season on this very beach. During the gathering, we marked the nesting site together and discussed the importance of protecting sea turtles and their natural habitat.

The program included several workshops:

• Shell jewelry making;

• Painting plaster figurines.

All materials were prepared in advance, and participants were able to take their creations home as memorable souvenirs from a meaningful day by the sea.

Thanks to the event, we raised 11,650 Turkish lira to purchase protective metal cages for sea turtle nests on the beaches of Kahyalar, Selinus, and Bıdı Bıdı.

These protective cages help safeguard nests during the nesting season, as hundreds of sea turtle nests appear along our coastline every year.

For us, it is important not only to protect nature but also to raise awareness about the uniqueness of our region, with its beautiful landscapes, clean air, rich history, and vibrant ecosystem.

We would like to thank all participants, volunteers, and supporters of this initiative. Together, we can preserve this special place for future generations.