You can be a beach hero

As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation is asking the public to be considerate of beach wildlife.

Common beach wildlife, like nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings along with shorebirds and their flightless chicks, should be in the back of beachgoers minds as they pack up their coolers and towels and head for the beach this weekend.

"You can help nesting sea turtles and their emerging hatchlings, along with shorebirds and flightless chicks, by giving them space, removing beach gear at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and filling in holes dug in the sand before you leave," a FWC news release said. "Florida’s sandy beaches provide important nesting habitat for several species of imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds."

Places like Manasota Key are seeing hatchlings emerge and start their lives, but it's important to minimize any unwanted interference, experts stated.

"Artificial lights and getting too close can cause hatchlings to be confused and lose their way, endangering their chances at survival," according to the news release.

The same could be said for vulnerable shorebirds and their chicks.

"Birds, including the piping plover and red knot, are returning to Florida’s beaches to refuel during migration and stay for the winter," the news release stated. "Giving shorebirds and seabirds space to rest and forage benefits them all year."

There's things the public can do to make both their experiences and wildlife's enjoyable and safe.

Avoid using any color flashlight, cellphone lights and taking flash photos after dark on the beach.Clear the way at the end of the day to help nesting sea turtles, emerging hatchlings and shorebirds. This can include food scraps and covering holes in the sand. Give sea turtles, emerging hatchlings and shorebirds space.Be on the lookout for disoriented sea turtles or young, and drive slowly along coastal routes to help keep both wildlife and pedestrians safe.