Dear Pilar Owners and Guests,

 

Our beach is so fortunate to have an active sea turtle nesting and hatching season. Each year between June and December Olive Ridley sea turtles visit all beaches in the San Carlos/Guaymas area to dig nests and lay their eggs. Playa San Francisco, the one that fronts Pilar is one of the most favored beaches in the area for people and sea turtles.  All sea turtles worldwide face challenges to nest and to ensure the future of their species, and our beaches are no different. It is up to all of us to be responsible for and committed to their protection. We have an organization that helps all marine animals in our region, CRRIFS. Late months of the year, you can join them just past Bahia Condominiums to the north for baby turtle releases! Here are some things that you can do to help the turtles when you are on the beaches this season: 

• Keep vehicles of all kinds off of the beach
• Do not leave trash on the beach, take it with you
• No open fires on the beach
• Fill in all holes and knock down all sand castles at the end of the day
• Remove beach chairs, tables, and other like items when you leave the beach for the day
• Leave patio lights off at night or change to red bulbs

If you see turtle activity on the beach, immediately call CRRIFS at 622-152-9934
At night mother sea turtles, as well as their hatchlings later in the season, use natural moonlight and starlight to navigate and earth's magnetic field. Artificial light can cause them to stray off course. Condos are encouraged to turn off their outdoor patio lights at night June through December. Or you can change your outdoor lights (especially those that shine onto the beach from the seawall area) to RED bulbs that are less bothersome to the nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. This allows them to follow the natural light reflection of the sea and guides them into the water. Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.