Girl Scout Troop 446 of Naples is making waves in environmental conservation through their dedicated beach cleanup efforts and special initiative of “adopting” sea turtle nests at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Since 2019, this troop of young girls has been actively involved in cleaning local beaches, turning their commitment to the environment into a cornerstone of their community service.

A Journey of Service

Formed in 2019, Girl Scout Troop 446 embarked on their beach cleanup journey to introduce their youngest members to community service and environmental stewardship. What began as an activity for Daisies to engage in meaningful service has grown into a troop-wide mission. In 2022, Troop 446 expanded their efforts by adopting sea turtle nests, a move inspired by troop leader Patricia Nye-Schmitz’s volunteer work at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Beaches and Cleanups

Troop 446 focuses their cleanup efforts on three key locations:

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: The site of their adopted sea turtle nest and the troop’s primary summer cleanup destination.
• Vanderbilt Beach: Each fall, the troop participates in the International Coastal Cleanup here, contributing to global marine debris reduction efforts.
• Bay Days Great American Cleanup: Held in the spring, this event involves cleaning various locations, frequently around Vanderbilt Beach, as part of a nationwide initiative.

Adopting a Turtle Nest

The adoption of a sea turtle nest is a special mission for Troop 446. The idea was introduced by Patricia Nye-Schmitz, who discovered the Adopt-a-Turtle Nest program through her volunteer work at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. The troop eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute further to conservation efforts by connecting with the Friends of Delnor-Wiggins to adopt a nest.

The Adopt-a-Turtle Nest program offers three donation levels: Loggerhead ($250), Green ($500), and Leatherback ($1,000). These funds support nest protection and resource management at the park, and donors receive an adoption certificate, personalized nest signage, and other appreciation gifts.

To facilitate their beach cleanups, Troop 446 collaborates with the Wiggins Cleanup Crew for Delnor-Wiggins Pass and partners with Keep Collier Beautiful for broader initiatives like the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and Bay Days Great American Cleanup (GAC). Their next cleanup event is scheduled for September 21.

The Joy of Giving Back

For Troop 446, the experience of adopting a nest and participating in beach cleanups is a source of immense pride and joy. According to Nye-Schmitz, the Girl Scouts eagerly anticipate each visit, taking great pride in the nests they’ve adopted and the areas they’ve cleaned. These activities provide valuable lessons on the life cycle of sea turtles, the importance of maintaining clean beaches, and the necessity of environmental protection measures.

Nye-Schmitz highlighted how these activities embody the principles of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The initiatives teach the girls to be courageous and strong, reflecting the resilience of sea turtles, and to be friendly and helpful, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship. “By doing a beach cleanup, we are rightfully ‘making the world a better place,’” said Nye-Schmitz.

A Troop on the Rise

Troop 446 is a vibrant, multi-level group of 22 girls, ranging from Brownies to Cadettes. They are one of over a dozen Girl Scout troops in the Naples area. The troop began as a Daisy and Junior troop and, having recently bridged to the next levels, their dedication to the environment and community service continues to grow.

As they look forward to another year of beach cleanups and nest adoptions, Troop 446 hopes to inspire others to join them in their mission to protect our beautiful coastlines and the incredible creatures that inhabit them. Together, they are making a lasting impact—one cleanup, one nest, and one girl at a time.

Girl Scout Troop 654 of Fort Myers also adopted 10 turtle nests from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

The troop showed their commitment to sea turtle conservation by donating $750 to SCCF’s sea turtle program last week.

Troop Leader Kelsey Leone explained, “Our troop chose to support the SCCF turtle program because we’re passionate about conserving our natural world. We specifically selected a local organization to ensure our contribution directly benefits the places and creatures we cherish in our own community.”

The troop decided to adopt ten sea turtle nests at $75 each, totaling $750, representing each troop member, including leaders. The funds were raised collectively by all troop members throughout the year.

Kelly Sloan, SCCF’s Coastal Wildlife Director, expressed gratitude, saying, “Our adopt-a-nest program helps us protect and nurture sea turtles on Sanibel and Captiva islands. It’s a meaningful way for supporters to engage with our conservation efforts, particularly during the nesting season.”