FPL data scientists help power sea turtle conservation

JUNO BEACH, Fla. — As the sun rises over the horizon, casting golden rays over the ocean, marine biologists at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) prepare for their daily ATV patrol along nearly ten miles of beach. Their mission? To locate and document the night-time nesting activities of sea turtles.

On one such morning, Sarah Hirsch and Dr. Justin Perrault discovered what initially seemed like tire tracks but soon revealed themselves to be the unmistakable signs of a green sea turtle’s recent visit. “Our team logs over a thousand turtle tracks during peak season,” explained Hirsch, whose dedication to these shores spans almost a decade.

Recording these sightings has come a long way since the days of manual notetaking. Thanks to a collaboration with FPL’s data scientists and engineers, who have generously shared their expertise, LMC can now capture and store information more efficiently, allowing researchers to focus on deeper analysis.

“All sea turtle species are either threatened or endangered,” Hirsch emphasized. “Our goal is to protect them, and the best way to achieve that is through knowledge. These tools enable us to analyze data faster, leading to better conservation strategies.”

Lori Kolaczkowski, a data scientist with FPL, never expected her career in marine biology to lead her back to sea turtle conservation in such a meaningful way. While her colleagues Mackenzie Knight and Alena Krause work on developing a mobile app, Kolaczkowski focuses on analyzing historical data with LMC researchers.

“Seeing a turtle underwater gives me peace of mind knowing our work is making a difference,” Kolaczkowski reflected. “It’s incredible to work for a company that values conservation and the protection of these endangered creatures.”

Since 1987, LMC researchers have conducted daily dawn patrols along the beaches of northern Palm Beach County, meticulously recording the behavior of these magnificent animals. This information is crucial for understanding and safeguarding the various sea turtle species that call Florida’s coastline home.

“The FPL team identified some fascinating trends, like a drop in raccoon predation and an increase in coyote activity, which we’re now monitoring closely,” said Perrault. “Diverse perspectives have truly transformed how we view our data.”